GANHRI Bureau meets in Marrakech to discuss work in support of National Human Rights Institutions 

The Bureau of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), commenced today a two-day meeting in Marrakech, Morocco, to review progress in implementing its Strategic Plan and discuss future activities that will drive GANHRI’s work in support of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in 2023 and beyond.

Members of the Bureau, including Chairperson, Secretary and Regional Chairpersons, representatives of the GANHRI Head Office, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) are meeting in person for the first time since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The meeting is hosted by GANHRI Secretary Amina Bouayach president of the National Human Rights Commission of Morocco and chaired by the GANHRI Chairperson Maryam Al-Attiyah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar.

“We warmly welcome the growing recognition of the role of NHRIs and their contributions to tackling global issues. This puts a tremendous responsibility on us, as major stakeholders who work, on a daily basis, to support victims and protect people’s dignity, individually as NHRIs and collectively, as regional networks and as a global alliance” said Secretary Bouayach ahead of the meeting.

GANHRI Chairperson Maryam Al-Attiyah, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar, highlighted GANHRI’s critical role in relation to strengthening and supporting NHRIs around the globe.

“Over the past years, we have worked hard, all together, to support each other, especially in challenging times and build our collective understanding of what it means to implement the Paris Principles in practice”– she said in her opening remarks.

Members will discuss strategic priorities for the upcoming years and receive updates from GANHRI’s Sub Committee on Accreditation (SCA), the four regional networks and from its Working Groups.

Cases of reprisals and threats against NHRIs will also be addressed during the meeting.

Consultations will take place around the activities to be held during the upcoming 30th anniversary of the Paris Principles and the 14th International Conference.

Following up on the successful 13th International Conference in Marrakesh in 2018 focused on the role of NHRIs in enhancing and protecting civic space and human rights defenders, the 14th International Conference will take place in Europe at the end of 2023.

GANHRI is the global alliance of NHRIs, with more than 110 members from all world regions. GANHRI is mandated to support the establishment and strengthening of NHRIs in all regions, in line with the UN Paris Principles.