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NHRIs and human rights
25 years after the international community first formally embraced the idea of creating national institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights through the endorsement of the Paris Principles, it is obvious that independent and effective national human rights institutions are every bit as important and relevant today.
On 20 December 1993, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 48/134 on “National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights”, with an annex containing the Principles relating to the Status of National Institutions, better known as Paris Principles, in which it encouraged all states in the world to set up independent national human rights institutions (NHRIs). NHRIs are non-judicial, independent institutions created by states through their constitution or law, with the mandate to promote and protect human rights. States are free to decide the best type of NHRI for their domestic purposes. In Europe, the most common models are ombudsman institutions, human rights commissions, hybrid institutions, and human rights institutes and centres.
Expansion and contribution of NHRIs in Europe. At the beginning of the 90’s, there were only a handful of NHRIs in Europe. The endorsement of the Paris Principles led to an impressive growth in the number of NHRIs. In 2018, there were 27 European NHRIs accredited by the Global Alliance of NHRIs (GANHRI) with an A status (fully compliant with the Paris Principles) and 11 with a B status (partially compliant).
There is no doubt that strong, independent, and effective NHRIs are a pillar of democracy, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Their contribution to the promotion and protection of human rights in Europe over the past two decades has been immense, from encouraging the ratification of international treaties, to monitoring their daily implementation and encouraging states to address systemic violations.
NHRIs as backstop against attacks on democracy, rule of law and human rights. However, many NHRIs are rising to the challenge as champions for human rights as Europe is going through a worrying backlash against human rights, with populism and nationalism on the rise, and attempts to weaken other watchdogs such as the judiciary and civil society.
NHRIs under threat. I observe with concern that several NHRIs in Europe have experienced blows to their independence and effective operations over the past few years. These attacks have taken several forms, from head-on criticism and threats, to more subtle damaging tactics.
What is at stake with these attacks is the weakening of effective human rights protection for all in democratic societies. It is only when NHRIs are able to operate independently and efficiently that they can also offer adequate protection to individuals and other human rights defenders.
Please click HERE to read the full comment as well as the recommendations.
Source: Council of Europe
