2023 GANHRI Annual Meeting: NHRIs consider the future for human rights
At a time when human rights and those defending them face increasing pressure, NHRIs will gather in Geneva to discuss the challenges and opportunities for building strong, inclusive and resilient communities.
The GANHRI Annual Meeting, to be held 14-16 March 2023, will mark a series of key human rights anniversaries, most notably 30 years since the adoption of the Paris Principles – the foundation document for NHRIs – by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1993.
In addition, 2023 marks the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, which provides the foundation for the work of NHRIs in all regions.
An Annual Conference open to the public will feature high-level speakers from NHRIs, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Permanent Missions and NGOs.
The discussions will consider the current state of human rights, as well as opportunities to build partnerships and make progress in key areas, including in relation to human rights and climate change, human rights defenders and the Sustainable Development Goals.
There will be a strong focus on the role and contributions of NHRIs in addressing the pressing human rights issues facing communities in all regions, both individually and in conjunction with peers through GANHRI and regional networks.
The three-day meeting will also include a Knowledge Exchange session reserved for member NHRIs on “Torture and other ill-treatment: the role of NHRIs”, hosted in cooperation with the OHCHR. The interactive event will be an opportunity for NHRIs to share their experiences, insights and examples of good practice in preventing and addressing torture and ill-treatment in places of detention.
These discussions will identify NHRI priorities in this area of their work and will inform preparations for the 14th GANHRI International Conference to be held end of this year, which will focus on the role of NHRIs to prevent and respond to torture and ill-treatment.
The GANHRI Annual Meeting provides a platform for NHRI members to exchange and learn from each other, reviewing our work and deciding collectively on next steps moving forward. A five-year Strategic Plan developed with the support of the European Commission under the NHRI.EU.3 project, will be presented for adoption by GANHRI members, while an Outcome Statement will be adopted at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting.
After three years of virtual Annual Meetings due to the global health situation, GANHRI is thrilled to welcome NHRIs and partners to meet together in Geneva in person.
The Annual Meeting will also include private meetings of the four Regional NHRI Networks (Africa, Americas, Asia Pacific and Europe), the GANHRI General Assembly and the GANHRI Bureau.
