The Council of Europe
The Council of Europe
Recommendation on NHRIs
A baseline study on its implementation
The importance of the Recommendation
The Council of Europe Recommendation, adopted in March 2021 by the Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers, is the European gold standard for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs). Affirming NHRIs as pillars for promoting human rights, democracy and the rule of law, it offers the blueprint to ensure they can do so. Setting out what NHRIs need to thrive as effective, pluralist and independent institutions, it also complements the global standards of the UN Paris Principles.
About the baseline study
ENNHRI’s baseline study examines the Recommendation’s implementation in all 46 Council of Europe Member States. Alongside cross-regional findings, there are country-specific analyses with good practices and recommendations for each Member State.
It does so on the basis of information from NHRIs, the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), and Council of Europe independent monitoring bodies.
Key cross-regional findings
What is going well?
There is an ever-growing family of NHRIs across the Council of Europe’s 46 Member States.
Authorities have overall good awareness of NHRIs, and provide them with adequate access to decision-makers.
NHRIs have strong mandates to contribute to justice systems.
What can we improve?
Implementing transparent, merit-based and pluralistic selection and appointment processes for NHRI leadership.
Ensuring adequate resources and allocating extra resources for additional mandates through independent budget lines.
Ensuring effective, timely and reasoned follow-up of NHRI recommendations.
Advancing support for and meaningful engagement of NHRIs at the Council of Europe
Set up a comprehensive Council of Europe cooperation programme for NHRIs.
Guarantee continuous and dedicated Council of Europe Secretariat support to boost already broad NHRI engagement
Findings per CM principle
The Council of Europe’s Committee of Ministers (CM) adopted 17 Principles on how Member States should enable effective, pluralist and independent NHRIs. This includes domestic safeguards (Principles 1-15) and further support for NHRIs at the Council of Europe (Principles 16-17).
Explore the national reports
ENNHRI’s baseline study examines the Recommendation’s implementation in all 46 Council of Europe Member States. Alongside cross-regional findings, there are country-specific analyses with good practices and recommendations for each Member State.
Alongside cross-regional findings, there are country-specific analyses with good practices and recommendations for each Member State.
Alongside cross-regional findings, there are country-specific analyses with good practices and recommendations for each Member State.
Explore the national reports
*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence.
