This year’s report on applying the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (the Charter) will be of great significance. It will focus on National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), Equality Bodies and Ombuds institutions. NHRIs are already recognised by the EU as vital for Charter implementation and protecting fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law. Yet there is still great potential to strengthen them and these key roles. ENNHRI’s submission to the upcoming Charter report outlines how to achieve this.

Stronger NHRIs mean stronger EU Charter application: the way forward

The European Commission’s 2020 EU Charter Strategy and 2025 mid-term review recognise how NHRIs are crucial to applying the Charter. ENNHRI’s submission details the work of its members and the network in this area.

Yet there is scope to strengthen this and maximise the potential of NHRIs – both in applying the Charter and beyond. In its submission, ENNHRI sets how to do so. Central to the way forward is the adoption of a European Union Recommendation on NHRIs or other appropriate means.

Building on this, ENNHRI recommends the European Commission and Member States to:

• Strengthen the recognition and understanding of the role of NHRIs under the EU acquis.
• Create and advance avenues for NHRI’s and ENNHRI’s meaningful engagement in EU law- and policy-making processes which impact on democracy, rule of law and fundamental rights.
• Provide support for NHRIs in their efforts to protect human rights defenders and civic space, including through capacity-building activities.
• Address structural challenges and threats to NHRIs more effectively by strengthening monitoring and reporting efforts, responding to threats and ensuring an enabling environment for NHRIs.
• Strengthen the coherence between support to NHRIs in the internal and external dimensions of the EU.

Working together to strengthen the EU Charter and NHRIs

ENNHRI stands ready to work closely with all relevant actors to turn its recommendations into reality. For this to happen, effective dialogue and cooperation between EU institutions, Member States, NHRIs and ENNHRI is essential.

Read ENNHRI’s submission to this year’s Charter report.

Read ENNHRI’s submission to the 2025 Mid-Term Review of the EU Charter Strategy.

Learn more on ENNHRI’s wider work on the Charter.