In the HRIRC the following definition is used:
Tools in the context of HRIA are used in the implementation of a step or a number of steps in a HRIA approach or instrument. HRIA approaches or instruments can be broad frameworks and as such they may not provide enough guidance to carry out a good HRIA. Thus various tools can be used to facilitate the implementation of the various steps of a human rights impact assessment. This is the difference between tools and instruments.
Country risk assessments, for example, are important tools for assessing the actual human rights situation, which is an important step in any HRIA.
