Focus

2021 Annual Meeting: NHRIs respond to emerging human rights threats

More than 300 NHRI representatives, partners and experts from across the globe took part in three days of discussions for GANHRI 2021.

COVID-19 was a central theme in our Knowledge Exchange, with NHRIs sharing their practical strategies to defend human rights during the ongoing pandemic.

Our Business and Human Rights event discussed emerging themes around technology and climate crisis, as well as the role of the UN Guiding Principles to support NHRIs respond to violations.

We also held consultations on our Global Action Plan to support the protection and promotion of human rights defenders and civic space, with participants identifying practical actions NHRIs can take to promote, protect and build cooperative partnerships with human rights defenders.

GANHRI’s General Assembly ratified three new Bureau members from the Americas (NHRIs of Argentina, Canada and El Salvador), as well as our 2021 Work Plan. Dr. Ali Samik Al-Marri was confirmed as GANHRI’s Acting Chairperson in the absence of Dr. Freddy Carrión Intriago.

A special thanks to all our member NHRIs for their participation and to our partners UNDP, UNEP, and OHCHR for their collaboration; we look forward to our next engagement.

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From our partners

• The 48th session of the Human Rights Council will be held in a hybrid format from 13 September to 1 October 2021 –  Read here
• The Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on Conflict prevention and protection of the HR of minorities will be held on 7 and 8 September 2021 – Read here
• The 39th and 40th UPR Pre-sessions will take place respectively during the week of 4 October 2021 and 6 December in a virtual format – Read here

Resources

• COVID-19 and National Human rights Institutions. A study by the Tripartite Partnership GANHRI-OHCHR-UNDP – Read more
• Report of the UN WG on BHR on the Role of NHRIs in facilitating access to remedy for business-related human rights abuses – Read more