Important Documents in the Establishment of a National Human Rights Institution in Switzerland
Several documents are available in national languages only, in particular Swiss official media releases. Please, refer to the corresponding sections in German or French.
New position paper of the Working Group for a Human Rights Institution
Flyer and Position paper of the Working Group (WG) and Conference proceedings (2003): input into the ongoing discussion and specification of the objectives. In French and in German only.
- ‘A national human rights institution is necessary’
Flyer providing an overview of the position of the WG for a Human Rights Institution in Switzerland, August 2005 (pdf, 2 pp.)
In French: Une institution nationale des droits humains est nécessaire pour la Suisse
In German: Die Schweiz braucht eine nationale Menschenrechtsinstitution - ‘Towards the creation of an authentic national human rights institution in Switzerland’
Position paper of the WG for a Human Rights Institution by NGOs in September 2005 (pdf, 16 pp.)
In French: Vers la création d’une authentique institution nationale des droits humains en Suisse
In German: Für die Schaffung einer glaubwürdigen nationalen Menschenrechtsinstitution in der Schweiz - 'What should a national human rights institution look like?'
Conference proceedings of the meeting held in Bern on October 24th, 2003 (pdf, 7 pp.)
In French: A quoi devrait ressembler une institution de protection et de promotion des droits humains ?
In German: Wie sollen eine Schweizerische Menschenrechts-Institution aussehen?
Reports by the UN Secretary General
- Effective functioning of human rights mechanisms: National institutions and regional arrangements (pdf, 25 pp.)
Report of the Secretary-General to the 60th UN Human Rights Commission, 28 January 2004. - National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights (pdf, 12 pp.)
Report of the Secretary-General to the General Assembly, 1 August 2001
Other important documents
- Recommendation No. R (97) 14 of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the establishment of independent national human rights institutions
Adopted on 30 September 1997 (pdf, 2 pp.) - “The Paris Principles” UN General Assembly Resolution 48/134 of 20 December 1993 on National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights
Adopted on 20 March 1994 (pdf, 7 pp.) (A/Res/48/134)
Further information
- National Human Rights Institutions Forum
Link to a website presenting excellent documentation on national human rights institutions and existing regional groups on a global level
Update: 29.07.2010
