Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions brings together and supports national human rights institutions to promote and protect human rights

Vision

A world where everyone everywhere fully enjoys their human rights

Mission

GANHRI unites, promotes and strengthens NHRIs to operate in line with the Paris Principles and provides leadership in the promotion and protection of human rights

Principles and Values

GANHRI as a member-based global alliance, works in accordance with the Principles as laid down in its Statute

Our Identity

Representing more than 110 NHRIs, their members and staff across all regions, GANHRI is one of the largest human rights networks worldwide. With a Head Office in Geneva and a governance structure representing NHRIs around the world, GANHRI is truly global.

Enriched by its diversity, GANHRI works in close synergy with the four regional networks of NHRIs in Africa, the Americas, the Asia Pacific and Europe, creating one comprehensive structure of independent networks.

GANHRI is recognised, and is a trusted partner, of the United Nations. It has established strong relationships with the UN Human Rights Office, UNDP and other UN agencies, as well as with other international and regional organisations, NGOs, civil society and academia.

Our Theory of Change

GANHRI, with and through its members, positively impacts on human rights globally when:

NHRIs are established and accredited as independent Paris Principle compliant institutions in all countries of the world;
NHRIs are supported, strengthened and protected to independently and effectively fulfil their mandate of promotion and protection of human rights;
NHRIs collaborate and share experience and knowledge regionally and globally;
NHRIs can speak with unified voices and influence the global policy agenda;
NHRIs contribute towards a world where everyone everywhere fully enjoys their human rights.

Highlights

15 Sep 2021

GANHRI 2020 Annual Report

GANHRI 2020 Annual Report is now released. The report shares the steps we took to provide practical support to NHRIs during these unprecedented times. We would like to acknowledge all NHRIs for their courageous and unstinting work across the globe to promote and protect human rights during these challenging times.

13 Sep 2021

48th Human Rights Council session starts today

The 48th Human Rights Council session will start today with an oral presentation from the UN High Commissioner on her annual report on the human rights situation.
Over the next three weeks, the Council will host panel discussions, discuss 18 reports from Special Procedures, and is expected to adopt more than 28 resolutions and other texts on both thematic and country specific.

1 Sep 2021

European Regional Forum on Minority Issues on “Conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities”

The European Regional Forum on “Conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities” will take place online on 12-13 October.

24 Aug 2021

31st Special Session Human Rights Council

In response to the unfolding crisis in Afghanistan, the Human Rights Council convened its 31st special session to address the deteriorating human rights situation the country.

During the session, GANHRI gave a statement expressing grave concern for the safety of members and staff of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission (AIHRC) and calling for immediate action to protect these human rights defenders.

6 Jul 2021

Call for participation – Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Minority Issues on “Conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities”

The Regional Forum will take place from 7-8 September 2021 and will be hosted by the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Dr. Fernand de Varennes, and the Tom Lantos Institute, in cooperation with partners.

6 Jul 2021

Overview of GANHRI 2021 Annual Meeting

GANHRI brought together online more than 300 participants from NHRIs, partners, and experts worldwide for engagement and exchange during its Annual Meeting held from 29 June to 01 July 2021.

7 Jun 2021

GANHRI-OHCHR-UNDP Tripartite Partnership release findings of a commissioned study regarding NHRIs experiences with COVID-19

The objective of the study, commissioned by the GANHRI-OHCHR-UNDP Tripartite Partnership in support of National Human Rights Institutions, is to provide a collaborative analysis to share good practices, experiences and lessons learned pertaining to NHRIs and their response to COVID-19.

2 Jun 2021

United Nations Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The 14th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples will take place virtually from 12-16 July 2021. Deadline for registration as speaker: 25 June 2021

20 May 2021

Temporary governance arrangements

In accordance with article 1 of the GANHRI Statute, Dr Ali Bin Samikh Al-Marri, GANHRI Secretary, in the absence of the GANHRI Chairperson, will carry out the role and functions of the GANHRI Chairperson on a temporary basis.

18 May 2021

Call for inputs from the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights of migrants

This thematic report will focus on ways and means to overcome the obstacles existing to the full and effective protection of the human rights of migrants. Deadline 14 June 2021.

17 May 2021

Joint statement in support of the Office of the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights

ENNHRI, Equinet, GANHRI, IOI, ODIHR and OHCHR signed a statement in support of the Office of the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights and express a concern regarding developments that may threaten the work of this important institution.

13 May 2021

GANHRI and partners conclude training on UN human rights mechanisms for 15 NHRIs from across the globe

Representatives from 15 NHRIs from around the world participated in this year’s training, from 26 April to 13 May which was held for the first time in a virtual format in the global COVID-19 pandemic context.

13 May 2021

APF Chairperson’s statement on the situation in Myanmar

APF Chairperson delivered a statement condemning the situation in Myanmar and raising concern about the current inability of the Myanmar National Human Rights Commission (MNHRC) to perform its mandated functions in line with the Paris Principles.

6 May 2021

Top UN Human Rights Chief alarmed by attempts to undermine national human rights institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean

Over the last two years, the UN Human Rights Office has received increasing complaints from NHRIs in the region, who have been harassed and threatened by Governments, parliamentarians, officials, vigilante groups and others simply for doing their work and fulfilling their mandate.

30 Apr 2021

Regional Consultations: Understanding and identifying good practices in support of environmental human rights defenders and their local communities

URG, UNEP and OHCHR with the support of UN SR on Human Rights and the Environment, are holding a series of regional consultations and conducting a global survey to identify good practices that effectively contribute to the promotion, protection and respect of EHRDs’ human rights while protecting a safe and healthy environment.

16 Apr 2021

GANHRI Statement on COVID-19 vaccines

GANHRI highlights the importance of guaranteeing access to vaccination in transparent conditions, respecting the principle of equality and non-discrimination for all

12 Apr 2021

Call for participation – Americas Regional Forum on Minority Issues on “Conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities”

The Regional Forum will take place from 27th to 28th April 2021 and is hosted by the UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues, Dr. Fernand de Varennes, and the Tom Lantos Institute, in cooperation with partners.

12 Apr 2021

Committee on Migrant Workers will hold a public informal meeting with States and other stakeholders

During its 32nd session (online), the Committee on Migrant Workers will hold a public informal meeting with States and other stakeholders on Wednesday, 14 April 2020 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm (CET – Geneva time)

24 Mar 2021

Overview of GANHRI’s engagement at the HRC46

During the 46th Session of the Human Rights Council GANHRI delivered two statements focused on climate change and human rights defenders, key priorities in the 2020-2022 Strategic Plan.

22 Mar 2021

GANHRI Secretary meets high-level representatives of the Republic of the Sudan to discuss Paris Principles compliant National Human Rights Commission

GANHRI Secretary Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri undertook a high level mission to the Sudan to exchange with representatives of the State and civil society on the role and functions of an NHRI and the Paris Principles.

15 Mar 2021

NHRIs should not face reprisals for engaging with the UN, treaty body finds

A landmark decision by the United Nations Human Rights Committee has reaffirmed the right of national human rights institutions to share information freely with the UN without reprisal.

1 Mar 2021

GANHRI, RINDCHA, FIO, CCPDH and the Latin American Ombudsman Institute joint statement on protecting NHRIs under threat and human rights defenders in the Latin America region

GANHRI, RINDCHA, FIO, CCPDH and ILO met on 27 February 2021 to discuss the challenges and opportunities for NHRIs to promote and safeguard human rights with a special focus on the protection of human rights defenders in the Latin America region.

15 Feb 2021

CRPD to hold regional consultations on the right of persons with disabilities to live independently and being included in the community

The Committee will hold online regional consultations with persons with disabilities and their representative organizations: “From isolation, invisibility and segregation into inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community”

25 Jan 2021

Call for input: thematic report on ageism and age discrimination

The Independent Expert on the human rights of older persons has made two calls for submissions of inputs on ageism and age discrimination and human rights of older women -DEADLINE EXTENDED to 15 April 2021

18 Nov 2020

Webinar on Individual complaint mechanisms of the Special Procedures (SPMH)

The Global Protection Cluster Human Rights Engagement Task Team is organising a webinar focusing on “Individual complaint mechanisms of the Special Procedures (SPMH)” on 2 December 10.00- 11.30 CET

27 Oct 2020

13th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD

The 13th session of the Conference of States Parties to the CRPD is now tentatively rescheduled to open and elect the CRPD on 30 Nov, and 4 virtual meetings on 1 and 3 December 2020.

6 Oct 2020

UN resolution urges States to bolster support for NHRIs during COVID-19 pandemic

States from across the globe have pledged to strengthen their support for national human rights institutions amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, in a resolution adopted today at the United Nations.

3 Sep 2020

GANHRI publishes Survey Report on NHRIs and the CRPD

On the 3rd September 2020, the GANHRI Working Group on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities -led by the Vice-chair of the WG, the Canadian Human Rights Commission – launches the findings of a survey conducted in 2019 on implementation and monitoring under Article 33 (2) of the CRPD by NHRIs.

2 Jul 2020

GANHRI condems the killing of the AIHRC staff

GANHRI mourns the loss of Fatima Khalil and Ahmed Jawid Folad of the Afghanistan Independent Human Rights Commission killed by an explosive.

29 Jun 2020

Tripartite Review Meeting

Annual Review Meeting of the Tripartite Partnership between UNDP, OHCHR, and GANHRI to Support National Human Rights Institutions.
The TPP meeting took place on June 24-25, 2020 in the form of a virtual two-day event.

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