July 8, 2019

STATEMENT Statement of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council, under agenda item 8 on the presentation of the OHCHR report on the inter-sessional meeting on NHRIs and SDGs, held on 7 March 2019 (report A/HRC/41/30).

Item 8 General Debate

Chairperson, members of the Human Rights Council,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI).

GANHRI welcomes the report presented by the OHCHR, which well-reflects the fruitful discussion and experiences shared during the consultation, as well as the written submissions by many National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).

Overall, the consultation reaffirmed the strong commitments of i NHRIs to use their mandate, role and functions to contribute to sustainable development, as well as the commitment of GANHRI and its regional networks to work in a coordinated and collaborative manner on the basis of the Mérida Declaration adopted in 2015.

As stated in the 2030 Agenda, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) “seek to realize human rights of all”. Given the mutually reinforcing nature of human rights and sustainable development, NHRIs are crucial elements of the good governance and institutional accountability architecture that is necessary to achieve the SDGs.

During the consultation, we learned how NHRIs in all regions are offering their systematic, reliable and qualitative analysis of the national human rights situation, and presenting reports and recommendations to guide SDG implementation. Some get directly involved in planning, others are following-up on the Voluntary National Reports presented by their country to the High-Level Political Forum (HLPF).

We also learned how NHRIs work to overcome discrimination and ensure inclusion for marginalised groups, to ensure no one is left behind. They collaborate with National

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Statistical Offices to generate data on discrimination and its effects, promote participation and serve as a bridge between national rightsholders and duty bearers, thereby facilitating a human rights-based approach to sustainable development. A number of NHRIs also use their advisory function by participating in established SDG Councils and advisory bodies.

The fact that the existence of an independent NHRI with A-status accreditation is a global indicator for the achievement of SDG 16 further reaffirms their crucial role with regards to the 2030 Agenda. By the end of 2018, 76 UN Member states had an A-status NHRI, accounting for approximately 39% UN Member States. This calls for reflection, and the need to operationalise the commitments made by many states under the UPR process to establish fully independent NHRIs in line with the Paris Principles as a matter of priority.

Another priority issue is the need to ensure access rights for NHRIs in processes pertaining to the 2030 Agenda, including the right to submit information. There are already several resolutions from UN General Assembly and the Human Rights Council calling for strengthened participation of NHRIs in SDG-related processes, including at the HLPF. However, so far, these resolutions have not resolved the practical barrier of ensuring access rights. It was emphasised that 2019 with the envisaged review of HLPF working modalities, is a crucial year for again raising the issue of NHRI participation.

A final key challenge is the lack of resources, capacity and expertise of NHRIs to fully include the SDGs in their work plans. Hence, the consultation underlined the need for collaboration and partnership among NHRIs and other key actors at global, regional, national and local level, and the need to provide the necessary support and resources to NHRIs fully unleash the potential of NHRIs to effectively contribute to sustainable development.

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