In a statement released today in Zagreb, Croatia, ENNHRI renewed its support and appreciation for Poland’s Commissioner for Human Rights.

On the occasion of ENNHRI’s General Assembly, NHRIs from across Europe underlined the Commissioner for Human Rights’ independence and its respected work to promote and protect human rights, in line with the UN Paris Principles and the Polish Constitution. They expressed their deep concern that recent developments in Poland could negatively impact on the Commissioner for Human Rights’ vital role to promote and protect human rights.

» ENNHRI Statement of Support for Poland’s Commissioner for Human Rights

Further to its Joint statement released in March 2016, ENNHRI strongly supports the Commissioner for Human Rights in its work to promote and protect human rights in Poland and urges all relevant actors to take prompt action to ensure that the Commissioner for Human Rights has sufficient funding to support its independence and for it to carry out its mandate in line with the UN Paris Principles.

ENNHRI’s statement was adopted on the occasion of its General Assembly in Zagreb, Croatia, and was supported by OHCHR and other networks of national bodies in attendance: International Ombudsman Institute and Equinet, both of which the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights is a member.

ENNHRI’s Chair, Lora Vidović, Ombudswoman of Croatia, stated that ‘ENNHRI stands ready to support its member NHRIs, and the support from all 35 NHRIs present as ENNHRI’s General Assembly has been overwhelming.’

Poland’s Commissioner for Human Rights is an independent and respected National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), fully compliant with the UN Paris Principles . In his role, the Commissioner is accredited as being independent, impartial, pluralistic and accountable in its work to promote and protect human rights in Poland and is a valued member of ENNHRI, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.

NHRIs are recognised by the UN, the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the EU as key actors in the national, regional and international human rights framework. ENNHRI’s statement, is endorsed by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the International Ombudsman Institute (IOI) and the European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet).

Photo: Adam Bodnar, Poland’s Commissioner for Human Rights