ENNHRI welcomes a new joint statement by two UN Special Rapporteurs. They urge states to protect National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) from attacks, intimidation, and restrictive measures. Equally, states should ensure NHRIs’ independence and ability to uphold their mandate under the UN Paris Principles. This comes against a backdrop of shrinking civic space, restrictions on the freedoms of assembly, expression and association, and increasingly negative attitudes towards human rights defenders, including NHRIs.

Worrying trends prevailing across regions

Due to their work on sensitive or contested human rights issues, NHRIs can face major risks and reprisals – similarly to other human rights defenders.

A recent Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) report confirms a worrying trend: the scale and nature of these is on the rise for NHRIs globally. It also identifies state actors as the primary perpetrators of reprisals against NHRIs.

Zooming in on Europe: in 2025 one in four European NHRIs reported experiencing increased intimidation and attacks. These included administrative obstacles, budgetary constraints and restrictive legal frameworks, as well as physical and digital threats to NHRI staff and their families.

The call for change and ways forward

In their statement, the UN Special Rapporteurs urge states to create and maintain a safe and enabling environment for NHRIs. This includes by guaranteeing their independence, providing adequate resources, and ensuring NHRI staff receive the same protection under international law as other human rights defenders. As ultimately it is states who have the responsibility for ensuring NHRIs can operate safely and freely.

The statement was issued by Mary Lawlor, the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, and Gina Romero, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association.

Explore ENNHRI’s dedicated guidance for NHRIs under threat.

Learn more about ENNHRI’s work supporting NHRIs under threat.