Advocacy

NHRIs are essential actors in the promotion and protection of human rights including at the global level. They have a distinct and complementary role to that of states, civil society and UN bodies and mechanisms.

The aim of GANHRI’s advocacy work is to positively influence the substantive outcomes of international human rights mechanisms and processes by bringing the voices and experiences of NHRIs into global discussions.

GANHRI’s participation in global events on human rights gives more visibility to NHRIs’ work. There is a great need to share experiences and good practices in order to improve the human rights situation in the world.

Human Rights Council

NHRIs are respected partners of the international human rights system. They speak with credibility and authority at the UN Human Rights Council. GANHRI supports its members in their individual advocacy efforts at the Council. GANHRI also coordinates and delivers statements on behalf of NHRIs worldwide.

Special Procedures

GANHRI engages with Special procedures, in particular the Special Rapporteur on migrants, on the right to housing, on human rights defenders, on the right to a safe environment and on the rights of internally displaced persons.

Universal Periodic Review

In 2019, GANHRI launched a webinar series on the Universal Periodic Review. Presented in conjunction with OHCHR and UPR Info, it supported NHRIs preparing reports for the third cycle of the UPR.

Treaty Bodies

GANHRI engages with Treaty bodies, in particular, the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Committee on Enforced Disappearances

Engagement with other UN bodies and mechanisms

The GA, in its landmark resolution on NHRIs 70/163 of December 2015, recognised the important role and valuable contributions that NHRIs can offer across the UN and encouraged all UN mechanisms and processes to further enhance NHRIs’ participation, including:
• the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW),
Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP),
• the UN Open-ended Working Group on Ageing and
• the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the high-level political forum on sustainable development (HLPF).

NHRIs participation in the UN

NHRIs have established a strong record with the UN as trusted and legitimate partners, by bringing a a unique value through:

• reporting to the UN credible, independent and evidence-based first-hand information about the local application of international human rights norms
• bringing to the UN best practice examples of what works at national level in the promotion and protection of human rights
• supporting the UN’s work in developing international human rights treaties and other norms and standards
• increasing awareness of and involvement by national-level institutions and actors of the work of the UN