Programme of Action and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Role 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. 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. 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. NHRIs are usually able to deal with any human rights issue directly involving a public authority. In relation to non-state entities, some national human rights institutions have at least one of the following functions: addressing grievances or disputes involving certain kinds of company (for instance state-owned enterprises, private companies providing public services, or companies that operate at the federal level) addressing only certain types of human rights issue (for instance non-discrimination or labour rights) addressing complaints or disputes raising any human rights issue and involving any company. Additionally they may promote and protect the responsibilities of the state and the rights of the individual by: providing advice to the state to help determine its international and domestic human rights obligations and commitments receiving, investigating and resolving human rights complaints providing human rights education and publicity for all sections of society (particularly minority groups such as refugees) monitoring the human rights situation in the state and its subsequent actions engaging with the human rights international community to advocate for human right recommendations and to raise pressing issues for