The international disapproval follows criticism of Professor Triggs in her role as president of the Australian Human Rights Commission and its inquiry into children in immigration detention.
It comes amid allegations that the government offered Professor Triggs work in exchange for her resignation.
Chairperson of the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC), Mabedle Lourence Mushwana, wrote to Tony Abbott to express “deep concerns” over the saga.
In a letter dated February 23, Advocate Mushwana said the “public attacks” threatened the independence of Professor Triggs’ office.
“It further more undermines and intimidates the statutorily granted independence that is provided to the country’s principal human rights body,” he said.
“These actions against an independent state body that is fulfilling its statutory duties to promote and protect human rights are of grave concern to the ICC.”
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Advocate Mushwana also called on Mr Abbott to encourage a “healthy democracy” by receiving Professor Triggs’ recent report, which has sparked calls for a Royal Commission, in the spirit of progress and promotion.
He said the Commission should not be hindered in investigating any matter of concern.
“It is understandable and even to be expected that independent [national human rights institutions] reports will contain information that is critical of government or unpopular,” he said.
“This is in order to bring attention to human rights that are being violated or areas in which human rights may be improved in a country; and particularly the human rights of those who are most vulnerable. An [national human rights institution] should not be hindered in investigating any matter of concern.”
Mr Abbott has previously labelled the Commission’s inquiry and report a "political stitch-up" and a "blatantly partisan" exercise.
Mr Abbott’s claims have been backed by Immigration Minister Peter Dutton, who accused Mr Dreyfus of “playing politics” on the issue.
Attorney-General George Brandis has also stated that the "reputation of the commission" would not survive Professor Triggs’ reputation of political partisanship, though their colleague Malcolm Turnbull has publicly defended her role.
"The issue is not Gillian Triggs, or personalities, or arguments about the Human Rights Commission, the issue is the children," Mr Turnbull said.
"All of us as parents in particular know how anguished it must be for children to be in these circumstances."
Read the full letter from the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights here.
