GANHRI shares perspectives at Council of Europe workshop on strengthening NHRIs and Ombuds Institutions
GANHRI contributed to the Council of Europe Steering Committee for Human Rights (CDDH) Workshop on National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and Ombuds Institutions, held on 25 November 2025 in Strasbourg.
The workshop formed part of the CDDH’s review of two key Committee of Ministers Recommendations: CM/Rec(2021)1 on National Human Rights Institutions and CM/Rec(2019)6 on Ombudsperson Institutions. The discussions brought together experiences, challenges and good practices from across the region, informing the CDDH’s broader assessment of progress and remaining gaps in national human rights protection systems.
Tamar Gvaramadze of the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia spoke on behalf of GANHRI during the NHRI panel alongside Beate Rudolf of the German Institute for Human Rights and representing the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI).
Progress and persistent challenges
Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty opened the discussions by reflecting on the evolution of NHRIs since the adoption of the Paris Principles. Drawing on decades of engagement—from helping establishing Sierra Leone’s NHRI to witnessing institutions like those in Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, and Northern Ireland challenge State practices and advance peace—he underscored how well-functioning and independent NHRIs can be transformative for society.
Among ongoing challenges, he noted that many NHRIs face serious threats including political attacks, budget interference, leadership delays, and gendered harassment.
Regional implementation
Beate Rudolf presented findings from ENNHRI’s comparative analysis on the implementation of the 2021 Recommendation, identifying trends and priority areas for action.
Inadequate funding remains the most consistent challenge, with only one in five NHRIs reporting sufficient resources. While nearly half of Member States legally require responses to NHRI recommendations, follow-up in practice remains weak. Most concerning, a quarter of NHRIs across the region reported facing intimidation, threats, and attacks over the past year. She called for a more strategic partnership between the Council of Europe and NHRIs, structural involvement of NHRIs across Council of Europe processes, and enhanced political and technical support to protect institutions under threat.
Lessons from global practice
Vladlen Stefanov of OHCHR’s National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section highlighted the independent participation rights of A-status NHRIs within the UN system. Similar institutionalized participation rights exist in other regional mechanisms such as the African Commission and Inter-American Commission. He suggested these models could inform enhanced NHRI engagement within Council of Europe processes.
Distinguishing mandates and safeguarding independence
Tamar Gvaramadze emphasised the distinct yet complementary roles of NHRIs and Ombuds institutions. While the latter focus on administrative fairness, NHRIs grounded in the Paris Principles hold broader responsibilities in monitoring, advising authorities, human rights education and engagement with international and regional mechanisms. Clarity of mandates remains essential as States work to strengthen national protection systems.
She also highlighted GANHRI accreditation system as a cornerstone of institutional independence, pluralism and effectiveness. Accreditation supports stronger legal frameworks and more resilient institutions across the Council of Europe region. The participation rights enjoyed by A-status institutions at the United Nations may inspire more structured NHRI engagement within the Council of Europe.
Drawing on the experience of the Public Defender’s Office of Georgia, a combined Ombudsman–NHRI model, she shared national examples demonstrating how clear mandates, adequate safeguards and close cooperation with Council of Europe bodies can reinforce protection on the ground.
Looking ahead
The workshop’s outcomes will contribute to the CDDH’s report to the Committee of Ministers in 2026, as part of the ongoing review of the two Recommendations.
GANHRI reaffirmed its commitment to supporting strong, independent, and effective NHRIs, working closely with ENNHRI, OHCHR and other partners to uphold international standards and institutional independence.