The effective communication of human rights is an important area of work for us, given that promoting human rights is one of the core functions of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). We provide a platform for European NHRIs to build their capacities and exchange expertise on effective human rights communications. We also collaborate with our partners in this area in an effort to build broader support for human rights across Europe. This work is facilitated through our Communications Working Group.

In the context of rising populist narratives across Europe, it is important to rethink communication practices and re-formulate messages about human rights to ensure they are fully understood by the general public. We strengthen NHRIs’ capacities in this area in different ways, including by drawing together existing research on this topic and providing workshops and training activities.

In 2019, we held a workshop on ‘Communicating Economic and Social Rights’, which brought together communications and policy staff from European NHRIs to jointly explore approaches to advancing a positive human rights narrative in Europe.

We also work with our partners at a regional and international level to ensure greater cooperation in the area of communicating human rights. To this end, ENNHRI is a member of the C10 group, which convenes communications experts from institutions and organisations working on human rights at the European level. The members collaborate to promote human rights and address related challenges.

Aside from regular meetings to exchange on communications practice, the Group amplifies each other’s messages for greater impact and also creates joint products. A significant example of this are the 10 keys for promoting and protecting human rights. Released in 2021, this toolkit is designed to help all those working in human rights in the OSCE region and beyond to craft and deliver powerful messages to increase awareness and strengthen human rights protection.

Discover the toolkit 10 keys to effectively communicating human rights – the second edition

Alongside ENNHRI, the C10 group comprises the following organisations:

• Council of Europe
• Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights
• EEA-Norway Grants
• Equinet, European Network of Equality Bodies
• European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA) 
• European Union Agency for Gender Equality (EIGE)
• European Commission, Directorate General for Consumers and Home Affairs (DG JUST)  
• Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)’s Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) 
• UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)