<P> Nations human rights institutions are also referred to by the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . </P> <P> Special commissions have been established in many countries to ensure that laws and regulations concerning the protection of human rights are effectively applied . Commissions tend to be composed of members from diverse backgrounds, often with a particular interest, expertise or experience in the field of human rights . </P> <P> Human rights commissions are concerned primarily with the protection of those within the jurisdiction of the state against discrimination or mistreatment, and with the protection of civil liberties and other human rights . Some commissions concern themselves with alleged violations of any rights recognized in the constitution and / or in international human rights instruments . </P> <P> One of the most important functions vested in many human rights commissions is to receive and investigate complaints from individuals (and occasionally, from groups) alleging human rights abuses committed in violation of existing national law . While there are considerable differences in the procedures followed by various human rights commissions in the investigation and resolution of complaints, many rely on conciliation or arbitration . It is not unusual for a human rights commission to be granted authority to impose a legally binding outcome on parties to a complaint . If no special tribunal has been established, the commission may be able to transfer unresolved complaints to the normal courts for a final determination . </P>

Institutions dealing with human rights violations in sa