By NHRI mandate
By topic
Enabling environment for HRDs & CSOs
Environmental HRDs
Freedom of assembly and association
Freedom of expression
Freedom of the media
Funding of CSOs
Non-government controlled territories
Prohibition of discrimination
Protection of HRDs
Right to a fair trial
Right to an effective remedy
Right to privacy
Right to respect for private and family life
Sustainable Development Goals
Whistleblowers
Women HRDs
By country
In June 2024, the German Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) organised an expert discussion with the German CSO coalition on transnational repression (TNR). Since 2025, GIHR has been cooperating with a university law clinic to assess the extent and methods of TNR in Germany and define Germany’s human rights obligations regarding those affected by TNR.
In its 2023 annual report to the German Parliament, the German Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) included a dedicated chapter on climate activism and is consistently monitoring the increasing repression of peaceful climate protests. It issued several public statements, including in reaction to preventive detention measures taken in Bavaria. GIHR regularly takes part in network meetings of civil society organisations working on the protection of climate activists and environmental defenders.
German Institute for Human Rights
In 2020, the German Foreign Office launched the Elisabeth-Selbert-Initiative. This is a protection programme open to human rights defenders, including NHRI members and staff abroad, who face threats due to their work. The initiative consists of three main elements, including on-site assistance, grants for temporary relocation within home countries or regions, and grants for temporary relocation to Germany. The programme was put to use in 2021, the German Institute for Human Rights nominated a member for the selection committee. After the takeover by the Taliban, the German Institute for Human Rights, together with the Asia Pacific Forum of NHRIs, successfully advocated for staff from the Afghan NHRI to be included on the list of people evacuated by German authorities. As a result, some staff members and their families have relocated to Germany and received a residence permit. The Institute has been advocating to continue these evacuation efforts and to extend them to other human rights defenders. The NHRI published a study on Germany’s human rights obligations in this regard.