The German Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) contributes to the promotion and the protection of human rights mainly by offering policy advice and raising awareness on human rights issues with relevance both for the domestic and international spheres.
The GIHR addresses policy and law makers, as well as civil society actors, at all levels of the federal structure of Germany with a variety of formats: policy papers and legal analyses, monitoring reports, expert panels and seminars, human rights education and training programs, as well as documentation and library services.
Furthermore, the GIHR engages in third party interventions in court cases with high significance for the promotion and protection of human rights in Germany and internationally (amicus curiae). The GIHR sees itself as a forum for the exchange of ideas and information between state institutions and civil society actors.
Since 2009 the GIHR carries out the function of the independent monitoring mechanism under Art. 33(2) of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). In 2015, the GIHR was mandated with the independent monitoring of the implementation in Germany of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Head of institution
Professor Dr. Beate Rudolf
Website
www.institut-fuer-menschenrechte.de
Address
Zimmerstr. 26/27, 10969 Berlin, Germany
Year of establishment
2001
Accreditation status
A
Year of accreditation
2002
Number of staff
74
Regional offices
NA
Mandate(s)
- Monitoring body under CRPD Art 33(2)
Core functions
- Monitoring
- Publishing research, recommendations, opinions
- Reporting to international and regional human rights mechanisms
- Advising government, parliament and other public bodies
- Supporting the work of human rights defenders
- Cooperation with civil society organisations
- Human rights education and training
- Awareness raising activities
