The Swedish Institute for Human Rights was established on 1 January 2022 in accordance with the Act on the Institute for Human Rights (2021:642). The Act states that the mandate of the Institute is to “…promote the safeguarding of human rights in Sweden”.
This is based on nation’s basic laws on human rights; the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR); the EU Charter on Fundamental Rights; as well as all other legally binding human rights obligations for Sweden, including many of the so-called core international human rights instruments.
In particular, the Institute shall follow, investigate and report on how human rights are respected and implemented in Sweden. It shall issue recommendations to the Swedish government, engage in international cooperation and promote education, research and other types of awareness-raising activities in the field of human rights.
It shall also fulfil the role of an independent national monitoring mechanism regarding the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, according to Article 33.2 in the same instrument.
Article 4 of the Act relates specifically to the Institute’s independence. It states that within the framework of the mandate and powers provided to the Institute according to the Act, the organization and the activities shall be decided exclusively by the Institute.
The Institute is managed by a Governing Board that also appoints the Institute’s director. The members of the Governing Board are appointed by the Government, but nominated by academia, the Swedish Bar Association, and the Institute´s Advisory Council, representing civil society.
Head of institution
Fredrik Malmberg, Director
Website
Address
Institutet för mänskliga rättigheter, Mobilvägen 10 223 62 Lund
Year of establishment
2022
Accreditation status
N/A
Year of accreditation
N/A
Number of staff
19
Regional offices
N/A
Mandate(s)
- CRPD Monitoring Body
Core functions
- Monitor, investigate and report on how human rights are respected and realised in Sweden
- Present proposals to the Government on measures needed to safeguard human rights
- Engage with international organisations and participate in international cooperation
- Promote education, research, capacity building, information and increased awareness about human rights
