With the establishment of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions, NHRIs pooled resources together for one common purpose, a formal network through which their values could thrive: a dedication to human rights standards, participation, transparency, accountability, independence and solidarity.
Over 10 years, and anticipating on many profound challenges, NHRIs in each European state had to work harder and smarter than ever to promote and protect human rights, and needed equally strong network for solidarity, mutual learning to address their (regional) human rights concerns.
By maintaining a steadfast commitment to its values, and building collaborations with partners, this network has shown an ability to impact regional human rights concerns, whilst proving expertise to building new institutions and strengthening capacity of NHRIs across Europe to be more effective at promoting and protecting human rights, democracy and rule of law.
ENNHRI is operating in a very different context to its first steps from the European Group of NHRIs in 2013
Driving the growth of and strengthening European NHRIs over the last 10 years
The network has grown in a variety of ways.
ENNHRI in numbers. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisci elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incidunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrum exercitationem ullamco laboriosam, nisi ut aliquid ex ea commodi consequatur.
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Our network has grown over the past ten years.
- The ENNHRI (European Network of National Human Rights Institutions) family has been growing year on year since 2013
- There is a growing number of A-status institutions
The state of play: NRHIs in our network are strong
- NHRIs (National Human Rights Institutions) that are members of ENNHRI have many offices, mandates and people working for them
- Out of many possible mandates institutions that are members of ENNHRI have these: (…)
- There are many people working for us and our members
- Our Working Groups had many meetings/ published many papers.
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How ENNHRI helped strengthen my NHRI
The Swedish Institute for Human Rights started operations in January 2022. To lead this organisation is both an honour and a challenge.
ENNHRI’s support has been remarkable, both when it comes to valuable contacts and advice on NHRI standards.
Our collaboration when we applied for international accreditation was crucial, taking place during a period of political scrutiny in Sweden.
Thanks to ENNHRI, we have felt solidarity all the way from Brussels and beyond.
— Fredrik Malmberg, Swedish Institute for Human Rights
ENNHRI gave us essential support throughout our accreditation journey from a B- to an A-Status NHRI. In particular, discussions helped us establish how we could further strengthen our NHRI’s independence.
Consequently, we achieved a formalised and participatory selection process of the Commissioner; limited a Commissioner’s possible tenure to two terms; and established an Advisory Committee with civil society.
This increased institutional independence was recognised by GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation, proving pivotal in its decision to award us A-status.
— Maria Stylianou Lottides, Commissioner for Administration and Protection of Human Rights, Cyprus
ENNHRI has provided invaluable support to the Ukrainian NHRI during the war, offering expertise, resources, and establishing a Solidarity Fund. Collaborative has included sharing best practices, training staff, and aiding information exchange.
Financial assistance has helped sustain the institution’s operations, while advocacy at international forums has highlighted the urgent need to unite for human rights in the face of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
This solidarity has bolstered the institution’s credibility, amplified its voice, and helped us continue promoting and protecting human rights amidst the war.
— Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
In 2020 and 2021, the Georgian Public Defender faced verbal attacks and threats from politicians and public figures due to its human rights work.
ENNHRI and its partners responded rapidly, publicly supporting the Defender. They highlighted to the Georgian Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament that NHRI staff should face neither reprisals nor intimidation due to their work.
In such times, public support from international bodies is essential: it reinforces an institution’s credibility and that attacking NHRIs violates international standards.
— Dr. Tamar Gvaramadze – First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia
Collaboration: the key to NHRIs establishing themselves on the European stage
What NHRIs achieved by collaborating in Working Groups?
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What NHRIs have achieved collaborating through ENNHRI:
Video illustrating an achievement resulting from the work of a WG.(Climate change/3PI)
Video illustrating an achievement resulting from the work of the whole network (R.o.L reporting)
Video illustrating an achievement from collaboration with a key partner/key partners. (Project on HR in conflict situations)
Videos presenting what NHRIs have achieved collaborating through ENNHRI. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Defining moments of NHRI recognition and engagement
- 2012
Immaculate conception
Immaculate conception
January 1, 2012Seed funding OHCHR and Spanish NHRI, Recruitment of a director.
- 2013
ENNHRI joins cooperation platforms with key partners
ENNHRI joins cooperation platforms with key partners
January 1, 2013Immediately after ENNHRI Launch of cooperation Platforms between FRA, the Council of Europe, ENNHRI and Equinet: on migration and asylum; hate crime; economic and social rights; and Roma.
- 2014
First NHRI Academy with OSCE/ODIHR
First NHRI Academy with OSCE/ODIHR
January 1, 2014The first edition of ENNHRI’s flagship capacity building event for NHRI staff was held together with OSCE/ODIHR in Budapest. The event continues to this day, with each iteration held together with OSCE/ODIHR. In June 2023, its 10th edition was held. Each year staff are trained on how to use their mandates to work on a pressing human rights topic.
- 2015
EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019)
EU Action Plan on Human Rights and Democracy (2015-2019)
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- 2016
First ENNHRI third-party intervention to European Court of Human Rights
First ENNHRI third-party intervention to European Court of Human Rights
July 4, 2016First ENNHRI Third Party Intervention before the ECtHR in the case Big Brother Watch & ors v. the United Kingdom on surveillance regimes in the UK. [followed by a 2019 ENNHRI Third Party Intervention on the same case before the Grand Chamber, and a landmark judgment by the Court in 2021, on mass surveillance and the right to privacy here]
- 2018
Copenhagen Declaration cites NHRIs as key for implementing European Convention on Human Rights
Copenhagen Declaration cites NHRIs as key for implementing European Convention on Human Rights
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- 2019
EU Council Conclusions highlight NHRIs as key to implementing EU Charter
EU Council Conclusions highlight NHRIs as key to implementing EU Charter
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- 2020
European Commission recognises NHRIs as a rule of law indicator
European Commission recognises NHRIs as a rule of law indicator
July 1, 2020European Commission initial report on the state of the rule of law in the EU recognizes an NHRI in compliance with the Paris Principles as indicator for healthy rule of law and recognizes the joint contribution of NHRIs through ENNHRI to the Commission’s report.
- 2021
Landmark Council of Europe Recommendation on NHRIs adopted
Landmark Council of Europe Recommendation on NHRIs adopted
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- 2023
Fourth Council of Europe Summit calls for more engagement with NHRIs
Fourth Council of Europe Summit calls for more engagement with NHRIs
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Realising NHRIs’ full potential as human rights changemakers
Icons presenting future areas of work.
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