National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) are periodically accredited before the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) of the Global Alliance of NHRIs (GANHRI). They are evaluated with reference to the UN Paris Principles, which are the international standards for NHRIs to promote and protect human rights effectively and independently. One of our core objectives at ENNHRI is to support our members with accreditation – before, during and after the accreditation process

NHRIs are accredited with one of the following statuses: 

• A status – Fully compliant with the Paris Principles 
• B status – Partly compliant with the Paris Principles 

• No status – Not compliant with the Paris Principles 

» Learn more about the UN Paris Principles and the accreditation process 

We support our members in a number of ways, such as: 

• Support during the accreditation process 
• Advice on legislation related to NHRI establishment and mandates 
• Input to the SCA on the regional human rights context in Europe 
• Assistance during a member’s follow-up on SCA recommendations

The Group offers a platform for peer exchange and support among members to create more resilient and stronger NHRIs in line with regional and international standards.  

It also provides strategic direction and advises on ENNHRI’s activities related to accreditation, establishment, and supporting NHRIs under threat.  

Its membership comprises around 20 heads of institutions and/or senior staff from A-status NHRIs. All ENNHRI members, regardless of their accreditation status, can benefit from and are invited to engage with the Expert Group. 

Each regional network of NHRIs is represented on GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA). Both the principal and alternate SCA representatives for each network serve terms of three years. See ENNHRI’s current main and alternate representatives below: