Over the past 10 years, National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) across Europe have had to work harder and smarter to promote and protect human rights. For this, they have needed an equally strong network for solidarity, mutual learning, and common initiatives to address shared human rights challenges.
By maintaining a steadfast commitment to its values and building partnerships, the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) has impacted regional human rights developments. At the same time, it has shared its expertise to build and support new institutions and strengthen NHRIs across Europe.
The cumulative impact of this is clear. In 2023, NHRIs form an indispensable and acknowledged part of the European human rights architecture.
Below, experience the journey ENNHRI and NHRIs have undertaken to reach this point, and what is planned as we move into a new decade.
Driving the growth of and strengthening European NHRIs over the last 10 years
As the network of NHRIs in Europe, ENNHRI has focused on achieving more and stronger NHRIs in compliance with the Paris Principles. Members have been supported throughout their journeys to establish and (re-)accredit their institutions. With every NHRI facing a unique set of circumstances and challenges, this support has taken a different form each time. This has paid off handsomely: the NHRI and ENNHRI family has grown constantly since 2013.
ENNHRI in numbers
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Since 2013, the number of NHRIs in Europe has increased by 34%, the amount of accredited NHRIs by 27%, and the amount of A-status NHRIs by 50%. More countries in Europe now have strong, independent and effective institutions protecting and promoting human rights.
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At its heart, ENNHRI is a network of human rights defenders. To instil a culture of independence among and build the resilience of European NHRIs, ENNHRI has provided extensive capacity building – including the annual NHRI Academy – for expert staff. At the same time, ENNHRI has created a Leadership Programme to induct and provide peer support, mentoring and leadership development for heads of institutions. This support has prepared the ground for ENNHRI’s members across Europe to promote and protect human rights in the many ways their various mandates allow.
Stories of solidarity and support
Through the network, ENNHRI members have acted in solidarity for the establishment and (re-)accreditation of NHRIs, while providing mutual support when an NHRI comes under threat. Faced with a worsening environment for the rule of law and human rights defenders, it is more vital than ever to ensure NHRIs are strong, independent and effective. To achieve this, ENNHRI and its members have constantly advocated for the enabling environment NHRIs need to thrive.
The Swedish Institute for Human Rights started operations in January 2022. To lead this organisation is both an honour and a challenge.
ENNHRI’s support has been remarkable, both when it comes to valuable contacts and advice on NHRI standards.
Our collaboration when we applied for international accreditation was crucial, taking place during a period of political scrutiny in Sweden.
Thanks to ENNHRI, we have felt solidarity all the way from Brussels and beyond.
— Fredrik Malmberg, Director, Swedish Institute for Human Rights
ENNHRI gave us essential support throughout our accreditation journey from a B- to an A-Status NHRI. In particular, discussions helped us establish how we could further strengthen our NHRI’s independence.
Consequently, we achieved a formalised and participatory selection process of the Commissioner; limited a Commissioner’s possible tenure to two terms; and established an Advisory Committee with civil society.
This increased institutional independence was recognised by GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation, proving pivotal in its decision to award us A-status.
— Maria Stylianou Lottides, the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, Cyprus
ENNHRI gave us essential support throughout our accreditation journey from a B- to an A-Status NHRI. In particular, discussions helped us establish how we could further strengthen our NHRI’s independence.
Consequently, we achieved a formalised and participatory selection process of the Commissioner; limited a Commissioner’s possible tenure to two terms; and established an Advisory Committee with civil society.
This increased institutional independence was recognised by GANHRI’s Sub-Committee on Accreditation, proving pivotal in its decision to award us A-status.
— Maria Stylianou Lottides, the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights, Cyprus
ENNHRI has provided invaluable support to the Ukrainian NHRI during the war, offering expertise, resources, and establishing a Solidarity Fund. Collaboration has included sharing best practices, training staff, and aiding information exchange.
Financial assistance has helped sustain the institution’s operations, while advocacy at international forums has highlighted the urgent need to unite for human rights in the face of the Russian Federation’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
This solidarity has bolstered the institution’s credibility, amplified its voice, and helped us continue promoting and protecting human rights amidst the war.
— Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights
In 2020 and 2021, the Georgian Public Defender faced verbal attacks and threats from politicians and public figures due to its human rights work.
ENNHRI and its partners responded rapidly, publicly supporting the Defender. They highlighted to the Georgian Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament that NHRI staff should face neither reprisals nor intimidation due to their work.
In such times, public support from international bodies is essential: it reinforces an institution’s credibility and that attacking NHRIs violates international standards.
— Dr. Tamar Gvaramadze – First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia
In 2020 and 2021, the Georgian Public Defender faced verbal attacks and threats from politicians and public figures due to its human rights work.
ENNHRI and its partners responded rapidly, publicly supporting the Defender. They highlighted to the Georgian Prime Minister and Chairperson of the Georgian Parliament that NHRI staff should face neither reprisals nor intimidation due to their work.
In such times, public support from international bodies is essential: it reinforces an institution’s credibility and that attacking NHRIs violates international standards.
— Dr. Tamar Gvaramadze – First Deputy Public Defender of Georgia
Collaboration: the key to NHRIs establishing themselves on the European stage
Through ENNHRI, NHRIs have united in action. Their common work has come to influence European regulation and policies across a range of key human rights topics. Indeed, their broad mandates allow NHRIs to engage on a wide variety of human rights challenges. This is reflected in ENNHRI’s human rights advocacy, which includes longer standing issues like asylum and migration and the rule of law alongside emerging ones like artificial intelligence and climate change.
Thanks to their contributions in the regional human rights arena, NHRIs have – individually and collectively – been recognised as indispensable actors for human rights protection. Their unique ability to bridge between the national and European levels – applying international human rights standards locally and reporting the reality on the ground internationally – has set them apart.
Joining forces for common action
ENNHRI’s Working Groups (WGs) provide the foundation for the network’s members to tackle Europe’s most pressing human rights challenges. They also offer a platform to undertake common initiatives and engage on human rights at the regional level.
Key achievements:
- Advocating to ensure regional legislation and policy on AI adhere to human rights standards, for example the draft Council of Europe Convention on AI and the EU AI Act.
- Extensive NHRI engagement in a recently founded group that has created common spaces for exchange and learning.
Key achievements:
- Brought NHRIs together for multilevel work on strengthening human rights accountability and migrants’ rights at borders, supporting their role.
- Provided a platform for NHRIs to exchange and collaborate on supporting people fleeing the war against Ukraine, calling for human rights-based solutions.
Key achievements:
- Alongside peer exchange, coordinating extensive regional engagement, including on the drafting and review of Council of Europe Recommendation.
- Developing submissions to align EU policy and legislation with the international human rights framework, such as on corporate sustainability due diligence.
Key achievements:
- Third-party interventions in major climate change cases before the European Court of Human Rights, including oral interventions before its Grand Chamber.
- Representing ENNHRI at the Council of Europe Drafting Group, advocating for a binding instrument on the right to a healthy environment.
Key achievements:
- Creating a community of practice through peer training on skills and knowledge for effective human rights communications, such as delivering campaigns and creating accessible products.
- Using the multiplier effect of the network to amplify the voices and work of members through ENNHRI and vice versa.
Key achievements:
- Fostering a long-standing relationship and cooperation with the EU CRPD Monitoring Framework, bringing NHRIs’ voices to this crucial body.
- Released a report on implementing supported decision-making for people with disabilities, which also guides NHRI work in this vital area.
Key achievements:
- Creating resources to strengthen and show NHRIs’ work in this area, including a tool on their role and a guide on a human rights-based approach to poverty measurement and reduction.
- Ensuring NHRIs are aware of other fields’ intersection with economic and social rights, while working with partners on issues including the impacts of AI, the cost of living crisis, and COVID-19.
Key achievements:
- Increasing role for ENNHRI and NHRIs before the European Court of Human Rights: multiple third-party interventions submitted and two oral interventions before the Court’s Grand Chamber.
- More NHRI monitoring of and follow-up on national implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights and the European Convention on Human Rights, including the execution of judgments.
Key achievements:
- Produced a guidance paper on how European NHRIs can advocate for a UN Convention on the Rights of Older Persons.
- Bringing the NHRI perspective to the UN, giving statements and holding interventions at the UN Open-Ended Working Group on Ageing.
Achieving change together
During the last 10 years, European NHRIs have acted in solidarity for and with a common voice on matters resonating across Europe. As time has progressed, what these are has shifted in some cases. Regardless, NHRIs have continued impacting the standard setting powers of regional actors and shaping human rights promotion and protection in Europe.
Cooperating through the network has empowered NHRIs to help shape human rights protection and promotion at the European level. ENNHRI’s common rule of law reporting embodies this.
ENNHRI’s Working Groups bring together NHRIs to engage and speak with a common voice in the regional human rights arena. Recently, this saw ENNHRI intervene before the European Court of Human Rights in major climate cases.
The promotion and protection of human rights is even more important in fragile contexts, including (post-)conflict situations. ENNHRI has offered a platform for NHRIs to exchange on this and developed guidance.
Defining moments of NHRI recognition and engagement
The common work and huge value of NHRIs – united through ENNHRI – has been acknowledged throughout the last 10 years. Their participation, engagement, and contributions have led regional mechanisms, such as the Council of Europe and the European Union, to recognise NHRIs in various human rights policies and frameworks.
Timeline
Realising NHRIs’ potential as human rights changemakers
Partnerships have been one of the threads running through the network’s achievements of the last decade. By working hand in hand with its key partners, ENNHRI has extended its reach and increased the impact of NHRIs to promote and protect human rights.
There is still much to be done. Work on human rights and the rule of law needs to be strengthened; the challenges are intensifying daily. But these can be tackled. Central to doing so are alliances and joint action with regional mechanisms, civil society, other independent bodies and state actors. That is to say: all those who can harness the huge potential of NHRIs to effect real change in structural human rights challenges across the region.
The next steps together
As we enter into ENNHRI’s next decade, join us as we call for:
The existence of an NHRI in compliance with the UN Paris Principles in each European state
Greater awareness of NHRIs and an improved enabling environment on the national level
More effective action when NHRIs and other human rights defenders come under attack
Strengthened rule of law and checks and balances, including the independent role of NHRIs
A human-rights based approach to key societal challenges, such as artificial intelligence, securitisation, migration and climate change
ENNHRI will continue to develop. It will continue to seize opportunities for NHRIs to be strong, effective and independent. And it will continue doing so to make a real difference for human rights, the rule of law, and – at its base – the lived experience and dignity of individuals across Europe.
