From State Comptroller to National Human Rights Institution – A Short But Necessary Path

Abstract

Until now, the standard view has been that Israel does not have an National Human Rights Institution. This paper describes two main trends that affect the connection between supreme audit institutions (“SAIs”) and ombudsman offices and NHRIs. The first is the development of NHRIs; the second is the transformation of classical SAIs and ombudsman offices into institutions that also handle the protection of human rights.

We provide support for our claim that the State Comptroller is the proper entity to serve as the Israeli NHRI and that in essence, he has moved to assume this position. We will answer the question of whether it is appropriate for the State Comptroller to take on this function, and whether he has the authority to do so.

Keywords: State Comptroller, National Human Rights Institution, Human Rights, Israel, SAI, Audit