"Today, human rights considerations are relevant to almost every sphere of governmental activity and indeed, to many other areas of public and private life. The number and range of "institutions" concerned with human rights issues reflects this reality. The activities of churches, trade unions, the mass media and many non-governmental organizations touch directly on human rights issues, as do those of most government departments, the courts and the legislature.
The concept of a national human rights institution is, however, far more specific-referring as it does to a body whose functions are specifically defined in terms of the promotion and protection of human rights. While no two institutions are exactly the same, a number of similarities can be identified which serve to separate these institutions from the various entities mentioned above. The national institutions being considered here are all administrative in nature-in the sense that they are neither judicial nor law-making. As a rule, these institutions have on-going, advisory authority in respect to human rights at the national and/or international level. These purposes are pursued either in a general way, through opinions and recommendations, or through the consideration and resolution of complaints submitted by individuals or groups. In some countries, the Constitution will provide for the establishment of a national human rights institution. More often, such institutions are created by legislation or decree. While many national institutions are attached, in some way or another, to the executive branch of government, the actual level of independence which they enjoy will depend on a number of factors including membership and the manner in which they operate.
The majority of existing national institutions can be grouped together in two broad categories; "human rights commissions" and "ombudsmen". Another less common, but no less important variety are the "specialized" national institutions which function to protect the rights of a particular vulnerable group such as ethnic and linguistic minorities, indigenous populations, children, refugees or women."
(Fact Sheet No.19, National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights)