c)-Competent authorities in the area of human rights These mainly include the Constitutional Council, the Courts, the Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights and Humanitarian Action, the National Human Rights Commission, relevant ministerial departments, and the National mechanism for the prevention of torture. They have national competence on issues which fall within the scope of their respective functions. d)-Invocation before the courts All provisions of conventions ratified by Mauritania may be invoked before the courts for mandatory application by the judge. e)-Exercise of remedies Administrative and judicial appeals are available and could lead to civil redress, administrative and/or criminal sanctions against the perpetrator. f)-National Human Rights Promotion and Protection Mechanisms The Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights and Humanitarian Action is in charge of drafting and implementing the national policy for the promotion, defence and protection of human rights. The primary missions of the Ministry of social affairs, childhood development and family are to propose projects and programmes to guarantee the promotion of women, their integration in the development process, and the promotion and protection of the rights of children, persons with disabilities and older persons. The National Human Rights Commission is an independent institution entrusted with the following missions: issuing, at the request of the Government or on its own initiative, a consultative opinion on general or specific questions concerning the promotion and protection of human rights and respect for individual and collective freedoms. Accredited as an A Status national human rights institution (NHRI) by the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions in May 2011, it was recognized as a constitutional institution in 2012. It is composed mainly of representatives of civil society organizations and professional bodies with voting rights as well as representatives of the different relevant administrations who act in an advisory capacity. It is funded through the national budget under a separate budget line. Through the media, workshops and other promotional materials, public authorities and human rights organizations disseminate and popularize the various instruments and conventions to which Mauritania is a party. They ensure the accessibility of these instruments by explaining them in the different national languages where necessary. 23