European Network of National Human Rights Institutions

Our busy Brussels week continued with a two-day meeting on a critical topic: the role and functions of #NHRIs operating in situations of armed conflict. On 29-30 October, representatives from 16 NHRIs gathered to deepen their understanding of the multifaceted challenges NHRIs encounter during active and pre- and post-conflict situations, as well as possible ways to address these.   Taking ENNHRI’s 2017-2020 project on NHRIs’ role in (post-)conflict situations as its starting point, participants engaged in an open dialogue 🗣 on the difficult, diverse, and deep impacts of armed conflict on their operations. Their accounts gave invaluable insight into the on-the-ground reality of protecting and promoting human rights in different conflict situations, including the practical challenges. The Ukrainian NHRI gave an in-depth presentation on its ongoing work in an active conflict. Participants also shared strategies, good practices, and experiences of adapting their roles under international #humanrights and #humanitarian frameworks. Representatives from the Council of Europe, UNDP and the EU’s European External Action Service also joined the discussions. Their international perspectives further enriched the conversation. The meeting was a major step in fostering further knowledge exchange and deepening ties between NHRIs, civil society, international organisations, and state actors committed to human rights protection in conflict-affected regions. Moving forward, the rich insights from the meeting will shape ENNHRI’s work in this area. An ENNHRI paper on NHRIs in armed conflict is set to be published in the near future. Learn more about ENNHRI’s and NHRIs’ work on human rights in (post-)conflict situations, including the dedicated project ➡ https://lnkd.in/eyTYPSJ7 Explore the online resource that conveys the rich knowledge and outcomes of this project ➡ https://lnkd.in/dc5yBhYE

And just like that, our #ENNHRI2024 General Assembly concluded yesterday afternoon! It was a joy to have so many members in Brussels for two days of connecting, inspiring, and exchanging ✨ . The second day of #ENNHRI2024 saw us elect new ENNHRI and GANHRI office holders and discuss a key emerging #humanrights topic - #securitisation. ENNHRI members voted for a new ENNHRI Chair and Board and GANHRI Secretary, among other important governance positions. Congratulations again to all those elected and thank you to all who put themselves forward for nomination. See the full election results 👉 https://lnkd.in/eg832gJY With its human rights impacts increasing, securitisation is a subject of high importance for #NHRIs. In groups, they discussed 🗣 the national challenges it poses, how to tackle these, and ENNHRI’s role in supporting their work. The rich General Assembly discussions will help shape future work on this vital topic. Securitisation is a thematic priority for the network this year and will remain so in 2025.   Being among peers always energises ⚡ and inspires 💡: we’re already looking forward to embarking on our common journey to develop our new Strategic Plan and towards #ENNHRI2025 next autumn. 

📢 Important news from the #ENNHRI2024 General Assembly this morning: new representatives have been elected for crucial ENNHRI and GANHRI governance positions! Our members cast their votes 🗳 to select a new ENNHRI Chair and Board and GANHRI Secretary, among other positions. Meet our new Chair and Board Members, whose mandates start in March 2025: 📌 ENNHRI Chair and Board Member – Louise Holck, Danish Institute for Human Rights 📌 ENNHRI Board Member and GANHRI Secretary – Alyson Kilpatrick, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission 📌 ENNHRI Board Member – Dr. Tamar Gvaramadze, Office of the Public Defender of Georgia 📌 ENNHRI Board Member - Beate Rudolf, German Institute for Human Rights 📌 ENNHRI Board Member – Simona Drenik Bavdek, Human Rights Ombudsman of the Republic of Slovenia 📌 ENNHRI Board Member - Dmytro Lubinets, Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights We warmly congratulate 🎉 all those elected and thank all those who put themselves forward for nomination 🙏 . The commitment and expertise of all candidates was clear to see. Discover all the new office holders here ➡ https://lnkd.in/eg832gJY Learn more about ENNHRI’s governance ➡ https://lnkd.in/d4kR-eqM

What a first day we’ve had here at the #ENNHRI2024 General Assembly in Brussels ✨ . We opened with reflections on recent milestones and activities. ENNHRI’s Chair, Louise Holck, underlined the network’s continued progress in enhancing #humanrights promotion 📢 and protection 🛡 despite increasingly challenging circumstances. She highlighted recent assistance to members undergoing accreditation and while coming under threat. Next, ENNHRI’s Secretary General, Debbie Kohner, expanded on how the network has continued supporting, strengthening and connecting its members and ensuring their expertise is at the forefront of regional #humanrights work. This has included engagement on landmark policies on artificial intelligence (AI); a new regional rule of law ⚖ report and tool to explore this; deepening NHRI knowledge 🧠 on AI and securitisation; and much more. ENNHRI’s Working Groups sit at the heart ❤️ of the network. Chairs and representatives from our nine Groups presented 🗣 the wealth of work they are engaging in. This encompasses peer exchange, regional engagement, and more across a wide variety of topics. After considering what has happened, the time was ripe to turn to the upcoming. Coming together in small groups, our members kicked off the development of our new Strategic Plan 📃 . They outlined various national challenges to address, potential opportunities to embrace, and the possible role to outline for ENNHRI in the Plan. This rich input will spur the initial phase of the Plan’s conception. The Plan will come into effect in 2026. #ENNHRI2024 attendees also learnt more about our regranting programme, discovering the stories behind some of the nine national projects on vital human rights topics. See full details on the dedicated page ➡ https://lnkd.in/ewuG3Y2C We have an exciting progamme coming tomorrow. Alongside exploring the #humanrights impacts of securitisation, ENNHRI members will cast their votes 🗳 to elect representatives for new governance positions. Follow #ENNHRI2024 to keep up to date ✅ !  

Today is the day 🤗 – we can't wait for the #ENNHRI2024 General Assembly to start later this afternoon! Running until tomorrow lunchtime, over 90 representatives from 45+ #NHRIs across #Europe are coming to Brussels for the occasion. Each year, the General Assembly gathers the network to consider 💭 crucial network matters - looking both back and forward. Alongside reporting on the activities of the last few months, we’ll kick off the development of our upcoming Strategic Plan 🎯 and hold elections 🗳️ for future ENNHRI office holders. In addition, we'll look at how #NHRIs are responding to the #humanrights impacts of securitisation. The next two days are also an ideal moment to (re)connect with new and familiar faces from across the network 🤝 . This morning already saw Chairs and representatives of our 9 Working Groups meeting to discuss their work. Later, they’ll present this 🗣 to the General Assembly. In addition, an induction for new heads of institutions allowed them to meet ENNHRI's Board and find out more about ENNHRI membership 🌐 . The induction forms part of ENNHRI’s Leadership Programme.   Stay tuned and follow #ENNHRI2024 👀 for all the developments today and tomorrow!

Something exciting is happening next week: we're welcoming #NHRIs from across Europe to Brussels for the #ENNHRI2024 General Assembly ✨! On 28-29 October, we'll discuss 🗣️ vital network matters and look back at what has happened since our General Assembly in May in Geneva. At the same time, we'll look to the future with sessions to kick start the development of our upcoming Strategic Plan 🎯 and hold elections 🗳️ for future ENNHRI office holders. Alongside this, we'll consider how #NHRIs are responding to the #humanrights impacts of securitisation. This occasion is special every year, and we can't wait to see familiar and new faces alike 🙏. Stay tuned 👀 and follow #ENNHRI2024 for the developments.

Today we’ve had the pleasure to join the 20th anniversary event of The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, our member in the country. Together with #NHRI and ombudsperson representatives and other key partners, we’ve considered how to ensure strong, effective and independent institutions 🏛️ and protection 🛡 for #humanrights defenders in these challenging times. Speaking in a panel session, ENNHRI’s Chair Louise Holck underlined that NHRIs need legal, practical, and perceived independence to fulfill their mandates effectively and maintain credibility. She reflected that 💭 : 📍 As stipulated in the Paris Principles, NHRIs should have independence in law, the selection and appointment of their members, and decision-making and methods of operation. 📍 Financial and operational autonomy is essential. Alongside an adequate budget and resources they have control over, NHRIs must be able to decide on and conduct their activities free from political influence and interference. 📍 When an NHRI can operate freely, it builds public trust and belief in its independence. This perception reinforces an NHRI’s role as an impartial protector and promoter of everyone’s rights, encouraging citizens to turn it when needed. In a session on the vital role of #NHRIs in promoting and protecting human rights defenders, ENNHRI’s Secretary General, Debbie Kohner, emphasised that 🗣 : 📌 Across the European region, we see clear trends of escalating threats and attacks against human rights defenders, including NHRIs, and restrictions on democratic space. 📌 NHRIs protect fellow rights defenders and civil society in various ways. They monitor and report on their status; advocate for national legislation and policies for their protection; facilitate access to justice for rights defenders; and more. 📌 When they face the myriad threats that jeopardise such work, ENNHRI supports its members to tackle them. These actions, a core aspect of ENNHRI’s work, are done in close cooperation 🤝 with other regional actors. ENNHRI Board Members Alyson Kilpatrick and Beate Rudolf also spoke in panel sessions. Thanks to the The Human Rights Defender of Armenia and its head and ENNHRI Board Member, Anahit Manasyan, for hosting the event. The institution has made a huge impact in promoting and protecting human rights in Armenia in the last 20 years. ENNHRI will continue supporting it in its critical work.   Explore ENNHRI’s resource on human rights defenders now ➡ https://lnkd.in/dG6999WJ Learn more about ENNHRI’s work to support NHRIs under threat ➡ https://lnkd.in/ehSa8dKe

🌟 Opportunity alert! We’re searching for a consultant/consultants to help develop our new Strategic Plan 📃 💡 . ➡️ Do you have experience of organisational strategic development and accompanying an organisation through the creation of a Strategic Plan? ➡️ Do you have knowledge about National Human Rights Institutions (#NHRIs)? Then we want to hear from you! Submit your applications by Wednesday 23 October, 17:00 CEST. See the full vacancy and details on how to apply here 👉https://lnkd.in/e8ecMeHH #JobAlert #HumanRightsJobs #Careers #Opportunities

Have you read our scoping paper on “Technologies, migration, and human rights: the role of European NHRIs” 🤔 ? Released last month, it explores the role and use of new technologies in the context of asylum, migration and border governance. In doing so, it sheds light on their potential impacts on the #HumanRights of migrants and the essential role of #NHRIs in addressing these impacts. 📢 📑 Read it to discover more about: 📌 How technology is being used in areas ranging from forecasting #migration trends to digitalising international protection processes. 📌 Regional policy developments on artificial intelligence (AI), such as the European Union’s AI Act and the Council of Europe Convention on #AI, and how they are impacting migrants’ rights. 📌 The role and opportunities for NHRIs to tackle #HumanRights issues at the cross-section of technologies and migration. 💻 Download and read the scoping paper here ➡ https://lnkd.in/epmyXcnr 🔎 Find out more about ENNHRI’s work on asylum and migration ➡ https://lnkd.in/ejmUiR-C Learn more about our work and engagement in the field of AI 📖 https://lnkd.in/dS_Yyf3h

📅 On Tuesday this week, we had the pleasure of participating in the event ‘Joining forces to better support and protect Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Europe’. Organised by UN Human Rights and the UN Environment Programme, the event underlined the urgent need to respond to growing challenges faced by environmental human rights defenders worldwide, including in Europe. 🌍 Speaking at the event, Edyta Tuta-Lorenz - our Senior Human Rights Officer - emphasised that: 📢 📌 We need common platforms and frameworks to ensure continuous engagement and foster dialogue with environmental rights defenders. 📌 We need to strengthen existing tools for protection of environmental defenders by enhancing NHRIs mandates and deepening collaboration with civil society organisations, media, and law enforcement to combat negative narratives and abuses. 📌 We need to ensure an enabling environment for NHRIs: being rights defenders themselves they also face threats for their work on sensitive topics. 🤝 ENNHRI and NHRIs actively work on strengthening, supporting, and protecting human rights defenders, including those focusing on the environment. We look forward to contributing to further enhance the protection of environmental defenders, along with all other relevant stakeholders present at this meeting. Find out more on ENNHRI’s work on the protection of human rights defenders 🔎 https://lnkd.in/dG6999WJ Dive into ENNHRI’s work on climate change and human rights - https://lnkd.in/egwF4_9F 🌿Learn about the project from ENNHRI’s regranting programme, led by the French NHRI, that focuses on protecting environmental defenders - https://lnkd.in/e-KPWqFh