UN Accredits Pakistan’s NCHR with Prestigious A-Status

News Desk 

Islamabad: The National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR) of Pakistan has been accredited as an A-status National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), the largest network of NHRIs worldwide.

GANHRI reviews national NHRIs to ensure they adhere to the UN Principles on National Institutions, known as the Paris Principles.

These principles establish the standards for commissions to be recognized as internationally credible and effective.

When a commission meets the Paris Principles, it can seek accreditation and join the GANHRI network. Although it is rare for commissions to achieve A status on their first attempt, Pakistan’s NCHR has done so. It is also the only country to attain new A status in this year’s session.

This prestigious status grants NCHR a seat at the Human Rights Council and other UN bodies, marking a historic first for Pakistan. Previously, Pakistan’s commission could only act as an observer, but now it will have a voice at the table. NCHR Pakistan joins the ranks of A-status NHRIs from countries such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, Denmark, and France.

NCHR Chairperson Rabiya Javeri Agha stated, “NCHR is proud to have secured accreditation as an A-status institution, and we thank our members, team, and partners, including UNDP, for their support.”

The application process involved a detailed 125-page report on NCHR’s establishment, independence, composition, organizational infrastructure, working methods, mandate, and quasi-judicial functions.

Additionally, the NCHR team was interviewed by a committee of over 25 persons, including select Chairpersons of accredited commissions worldwide. The accreditation committee was chaired by New Zealand and included representatives from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, GANHRI, APF (Asia Pacific Forum), and the NHRIs of South Africa, Greece, Croatia, and Honduras.

This milestone positions Pakistan’s NCHR within a global alliance of high-quality, world-class commissions. It allows the NCHR to speak at the UN Human Rights Council and other international forums, presenting Pakistan’s case for human rights.

This strategic voice is crucial for securing financial concessions for Pakistan, such as GSP+, FATF, and IMF support. In Pakistan’s recent Universal Periodic Review, eighteen countries recommended the independent functioning of NCHR.

 Today, its A-status accreditation globally affirms Pakistan’s commitment to serious and effective human rights institutions in line with international obligations.

In its short two-year tenure, NCHR boasts a long list of achievements. The accreditation report highlights NCHR’s significant work in human rights, numerous investigations, extensive research on various human rights issues, and advocacy for new legislation, along with its feedback on draft laws.

The GANHRI report emphasizes that the government must continue to ensure NCHR’s independence and provide adequate funding to enhance its effectiveness.