ABOUT EVENT

This ENNHRI exchange explored the role and added value of NHRIs in protecting human rights defenders in Europe. ENNHRI members and key stakeholders came together to share good practices of NHRIs, while also considering their needs and how the network can provide support.

During the event, participants:

• Looked at the role of and work done by European NHRIs to protect rights defenders nationally and exchange relevant good practices, while
• Identified the added value of European NHRIs in protecting rights defenders at the domestic and regional level and how to strengthen this role.
• Considered how ENNHRI can support NHRIs to strengthen their mandate to ensure an enabling environment and protection for rights defenders in Europe.
• Reflected on how to strengthen NHRIs’ role in protecting rights defenders at the regional level and how to develop regional advocacy on this.

The discussions and exchanges during this meeting informed ENNHRI’s future work in this area, including capacity building of NHRIs and its regional advocacy.

The meeting was a side event of ENNHRI’s General Assembly.

Read more on ENNHRI’s work on human rights defenders. Explore ENNHRI’s dedicated resource for NHRIs on human rights defenders.

Event speakers and moderator:

• Tamar Gvaramadze, First Deputy of the Public Defender of Georgia
• Martien Schotsmans, Director of the Belgian Federal Institute for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (FIRM-IFDH)
• Orsolya Toth, Human Rights Officer, office of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of HRDs
• Phil Lynch, Director of the International Service for Human Rights
• Kersty McCourt, ENNHRI Consultant on HRDs