From Responsibility to Response: Assessing National - Brookings

Benchmark 8 Support NHRIs to Integrate Internal Displacement into Their Work
Figure 1-2. Cont.
Country and
Status of NHRI*
Name of NHRI Year established Activities on behalf of IDPs
Nepali National 2000 Specified IDP focal point. The Comprehensive Peace Accord
Human Rights
mandates the NHRC to monitor the government’s adherence to its
Commission of
human rights commitments under the accord.
Nepal (NHRC)
Investigates violations; monitors and reports on IDP conditions;
monitors government authorities; reports on laws and policies;
conducts awareness-raising campaigns; High capacity.
Pakistan No NHRI
Sri Lankaii Human Rights 1997 In June 2002, launched a unit on national protection and durable
Commission of
solutions for IDPs.
Sri Lanka
Investigates complaints; conducts monitoring visits; conducts
training programs for the military, NGOs/CBOs, IDPs and host
communities; works with the Register General Department to
issue documents to IDPs.
Was very active in monitoring and reporting on displacement in
the post-2004 tsunami period.
In 2006 drafted a bill to protect the rights of IDPs. While IDP
issues were one of its main priorities in the 2002–2006 period,
attention has diminished. There is no evidence that it has done
much work on these issues since 2009.
Criticized for lack of independence. The International
Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion
and Protection of Human Rights downgraded the HRC to Grade
B—the status of “observer”—in late 2007.
Sudan Southern The 2005 Interim
Sudan Constitution of
Human Rights Southern Sudan
Commission provides for
establishment of the
commission.
Turkey No NHRI Government
has made three
attempts since
2004 to create
a human rights
council; criticized
for violating Paris
Principles
Ugandai Uganda
IDP issues appear to be a high priority. Conducts visits to IDP
Human Rights
camps and return sites to monitor returns; compiles annual
Commission
reports; organizes training workshops.
Yemen There is a Minister
of State for Human
Rights, but the office
lacks accreditation
from OHCHR.
a. UN General Assembly, The Role of the Ombudsman, Mediator and Other National Human Rights Institutions in the Promotion and
Protection of Human Rights, A/65/340, 1 September 2010, pp. 18–25 (http://ap.ohchr.org/documents/alldocs.aspx?doc_id=18040).
* Status refers to compliance with the Paris Principles, which is required for accreditation with the Office of the High Commissioner
for Human Rights.
i. NHRIs that are in full compliance.
ii. NHRIs in partial compliance.
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