The work of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) is significant in situations of (post-)conflict, as human rights abuses are more widespread and societies divided. Independent, strong and trusted institutions are needed not only to support individuals affected by conflict, but also to promote a culture of rights. NHRIs in situations of conflict, including pre- and post-conflict phases, play an essential role in conflict prevention, management and resolution, as well as peacebuilding and transitional justice.

In recent years, armed conflicts and heightened security crises have posed unprecedented threats to human rights across Europe and its neighbourhood. Against this backdrop, ENNHRI has published a scoping paper examining the critical role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in conflict-affected and post-conflict settings. 

The paper highlights how NHRIs, being independent state-mandated bodies with a broad mandate to protect and promote human rights, act as a bridge between authorities, civil society, and international actors. Even amid extreme instability, NHRIs have opportunities and legal bases for monitoring and documenting human rights violations, supporting accountability processes, and advocating for the protection of those most at risk. 

Drawing on examples from across the region, the study identifies good practices, key challenges, and emerging needs for NHRIs. The paper emphasises that NHRIs require strong mandates, institutional independence, and sustainable resources to operate effectively in volatile environments. The findings also call for greater international cooperation and targeted support to strengthen NHRIs’ resilience during all stages of armed conflicts. 

This work reflects ENNHRI’s broader commitment to supporting NHRIs on the frontlines of human rights protection, amplifying their role in advancing accountability, justice, and lasting peace. 

The ongoing war against Ukraine has displaced and forced millions of  people to flee the country. The human rights consequences – particularly for those seeking refuge – have been immense.

Reflecting their crucial role in protecting and promoting human rights in all phases of conflict situations, NHRIs have been at the forefront of the response. While continually monitoring and reporting on the situation on the ground, they have developed initiatives such as dedicated hotlines and information campaigns and expressed solidarity in various ways.

NHRIs were active in the framework of ENNHRI. In 2022 and 2023, they held high-level meetings and regular Asylum and Migration Working Group meetings to discuss and outline best practices and responses to challenges resulting from the conflict. To support the Ukrainian NHRI and observe the human rights situation, ENNHRI delegations visited the Ukrainian-Polish border in March 2022 and travelled to Ukraine in August 2022. ENNHRI also travelled to Warsaw in June 2022 to see local action for those seeking refuge from the conflict.

As the conflict and its impact evolve over time, NHRIs will remain crucial in ensuring ongoing human rights protection for all.

Discover what NHRIs around Europe have done in response to the armed attack on Ukraine and the resulting human rights challenges

Strong and independent National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) can be key actors in building sustainable peace in (post-)conflict societies. This encompasses areas as broad as internal displacement; realising economic and social rights; human rights and counter-terrorism; peacebuilding; and human rights in non-government controlled, non-recognised and other disputed territories.

ENNHRI’s project in this area sought to identify NHRIs’ roles in these situations, including priorities, opportunities and challenges. Find out more further down this page and in this guide.

Given the diversity of (post-)conflict environments in Europe, European NHRIs have different experiences of promoting and protecting the human rights of internally displaced persons (IDPs). However, they face common challenges such as a lack of capacity, resources and experience, and scarce support from national authorities in this area of work.

In April 2018, we organised a meeting and a capacity building workshop that gathered European NHRIs and key international and regional stakeholders to share expertise and practices on how NHRIs can best promote and protect the human rights of IDPs. This included engagement with the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights of IDPs.

The statement resulting from the meetings – welcomed by numerous international and regional actors – was recognised by the UN Special Rapporteur as supportive of her multi-stakeholder plan of action on IDPs. Her 2019 report on internal displacement and the role of NHRIs outlines opportunities and challenges faced by NHRIs in this area.

Download: Infosheet on the Georgian NHRI’s good practices in promoting and protecting the human rights of IDPs

» Learn about our work in other areas of asylum and migration

NHRIs are uniquely positioned to address human rights issues arising from terrorism and counter-terrorism, including in situations of (post-)conflict. Terrorist actions carried out by non-state actors are inherently characterised by human rights abuses and require immediate and coordinated responses from state authorities. However, the climate of fear that follows these acts may lead to the adoption of counter-terrorist measures that can limit the enjoyment of a wide range of political and civil rights.

To support NHRIs in this context, we organised a capacity building workshop in September 2018. This convened European NHRIs, key stakeholders and NHRIs from other regions. Participants exchanged on their roles, mandates and functions, while engaging with a range of stakeholders, such as Amnesty International, the Council of Europe’s Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Development Programme and Northern Ireland national stakeholders.

Prior to this, we held a seminar at our General Assembly in October 2016 on human rights and counter-terrorism, while the 2016 NHRI Academy featured a session on protecting human rights while countering terrorism. In May 2016, together with the Office of the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, we organised a meeting to share good practices and expertise in this area. NHRI representatives explored the role, opportunities and responsibilities of NHRIs in counter-terrorism.

Watch: UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Fionnuala Ní Aoláin, on the role of NHRIs in (counter-)terrorism contexts.

In non-government-controlled, non-recognised and other disputed territories, human rights are often violated or not preserved at all.  In many instances European NHRIs have  developed strategies to gain access to affected individuals and promote and protect human rights on those territories. This includes through cooperation with civil society actors, international and regional stakeholders, or relevant human rights actors on the “other side” of the conflict line.

The contribution of NHRIs is reflected in the Declaration on the Role of NHRIs in (Post) Conflict agreed upon by NHRIs in 2015 in Kyiv. However, NHRIs face major challenges to working in these circumstances, such as the lack of clarity on their mandate and role, difficulty in accessing non-government-controlled areas and reaching relevant individuals.

Following calls from European NHRIs for peer-exchange in this area, we organised two meetings on the topic in February and June 2019. These brought together high-level representatives from European NHRIs, international and regional stakeholders, and members of civil society working on the ground.

The meetings were attended by all European NHRIs working in affected states, providing them a platform to share their experiences of engagement in non-government-controlled areas. All invited experts from international civil society and intergovernmental organisations articulated their strong support for efforts to increase the engagement of NHRIs in non-government-controlled areas.

* Including in non-recognised and other disputed territories

Violations of economic and social rights can be both a cause and a consequence of conflict. Low standards of living and a lack of access to basic needs such as water, food, electricity and gas, absence of safe housing, work and education, coupled with ongoing discrimination, can lead to public unrest. In this context, NHRIs are well-positioned to influence change in both the short and long term.

NHRIs are mandated to address a full range of human rights issues, including economic and social rights. They are equipped to continuously monitor laws, policies and programmes which impact on realising and restoration of economic and social rights, particularly for the people most affected by conflict.

To support European NHRIs in this area, we organised a capacity building workshop in March 2019 addressing strategic approaches for NHRIs working with economic and social rights in (post-)conflict contexts. Participants shared their challenges, methods of work, and effective practices. This included community-led monitoring by local NGOs in Northern Ireland and Serbia

How can NHRIs address economic and social rights in (post-)conflict situations?

» Learn about our work in other areas of economic and social rights

The enjoyment of human rights is not possible without peaceful resolution of conflict. The strategic link between respecting human rights and the prevention of violent conflicts and building durable peace has been pointed out by the UN and regional human rights and security bodies, including the Council of Europe, EU and OSCE. In addition, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development recognises NHRIs as an indicator of SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions) and important actors in prevention of the re-emergence of the conflict, negotiations of peace agreements and development of transitional justice laws and policies.

NHRIs in Europe and around the world have expressed their readiness to engage more in peacebuilding. Given this, we organised a capacity building workshop in October 2019. This gathered representatives of European NHRIs, civil society and intergovernmental organisations working in the area of human rights and peacebuilding, as well as NHRI colleagues from other parts of the world with experience in these fields.

In 2019, we launched a peer-exchange programme to enhance the capacities of participating NHRIs working in (post-)conflict situations, to strengthen their ties with other European NHRIs, and to encourage solidarity. The programme helped increase understanding of the roles and responsibilities of working in (post-)conflict contexts, encouraged exchanges of good practices, methodologies and practical tools, and allowed for specific human rights concerns to be addressed.

Participants in the programme included NHRIs from Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Germany, Northern Ireland, Portugal and Serbia.

Learn more about recent NHRI peer-exchange visits

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) developed a Trainer’s Guide on Human Rights Monitoring and Fact-Finding for NHRIs, a manual and online course for enhancing the monitoring capacities of NHRIs in (post-)conflict contexts. Other UNDP Guides are also available on How to Conduct Investigations and How to Handle Complaints.