Statement

on the occasion of theadoption of the draft resolution on

National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights

facilitated by Germany

in the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly

7November 2017

(check against delivery)

Mr.Chair,

After extensive informal and bilateral consultations with many delegations, the German delegation would like to propose resolution L.45on “National institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights” for adoption by consensus. We thank all delegations for their open and constructive approach duringthe negotiations on this resolution.

1) The resolution recognizes that the added-value of NHRIs in the international human-rights system extends beyond the Human Rights Council in Geneva. NHRIs are neither state actors nor nongovernmental institutions, and cut across the traditional dividing line between state and civil society. Because of this unique status, NHRIs can provide authoritative, yet independent information on human rights violations, whilst raising awareness and interacting with civil societies.

2) In the resolution, the General Assembly encourages all UN processes and mechanisms to enhance the participation of NHRIs and to allow for their contribution, and calls on the Secretary-General to do likewise.

3) Importantly, it also acknowledges the progress made in the implementation of the last GA resolution over the last two years. In the Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing, Argentina instituted a mechanism to enable the engagement of NHRIs. In CSW and the Conference of States Parties of CRPD, we have made substantial progress in opening informal avenues for NHRIs to participate. We are thankful to the Chairs of these two fora, Ireland and Bulgaria, for championing these efforts.

We would like to thank all stakeholders, in particular representatives from various National Human Rights Institutions, from their regional networks and from their umbrella organization, the Global Alliance of NHRIs. Their input at every stage of the process leading up to today’s adoption of this resolution has been invaluable.

We would also like to thank Australia for their support and for introducing a resolution onNHRIs in the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Finally, we would like to express our gratitude tothe Core Group members and tothe more than 80 delegations from all regional groups that have supported the resolution through their co-sponsorship.We would like to encourage all delegations that have not yet done so to co-sponsor this important initiative now from the floor.

Thank you.