NHRIs urge human rights, multilateralism to underpin Pact for the Future

NHRIs urge human rights, multilateralism

to underpin Pact for the Future

Ahead of the Summit of the Future, GANHRI urges governments to reaffirm their commitments to the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Charter and to support a reinvigorated multilateral system focused on improving people’s lives.

The global gathering–to be held in New York on 22-23 September–will produce an action-oriented Pact for the Future addressing: Sustainable development and financing for development; International peace and security; Science, technology and innovation and digital cooperation; Youth and future generations; and Transforming global governance.

In a statement released today, GANHRI – representing 118 national human rights institutions (NHRIs) across all regions – encourages world leaders to deepen their cooperation, set tangible goals and plan actions to safeguard the rights and interests of future generations. The statement is also available in Arabic, French, and Spanish.

“As a global community, we face numerous complex and connected threats: the destructive impacts of climate change; war and conflict; growing socio-economic disparity; political polarisation; the unknown in emerging technologies; and a decline in civic space and the rule of law,” GANHRI said in a statement. “Urgent and collective solutions, which uphold human rights, are essential,” the statement added.

To support leaders as they plan and implement future actions, GANHRI’s statement outlines the following human rights principles to guide policy-making and decision-making:

Sustainable development, human rights and peace and security are equally important, interlinked and mutually reinforcing;
States must meet their human rights commitments;
Women and youth help realise human rights, peace and sustainable development;
Meaningful participation of all stakeholders underpins effective responses;
Human rights must be at the centre of environmental and climate action;
Science, technology, innovation and digital advances must contribute to respect for human rights;
States must ensure a safe and enabling civic space;
NHRIs, human rights defenders and civil society can help reinvigorate the multilateral system; and
Establishing and strengthening NHRIs is essential to deliver on the SDGs.

The “existence of independent NHRIs in compliance with the Paris Principles” is a global indicator for achieving SDG 16, which is focused on promoting peaceful societies, providing access to justice for all and building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.

However, only 90 of the 193 UN Member States have established a Paris Principles-compliant NHRI (as of July 2024, see the Status Accreditation Chart). Accelerated progress is therefore required to guarantee that all States meet the NHRI indicator under SDG 16 by 2030.

“We call on States to establish, strengthen, and protect NHRIs in accordance with the Paris Principles. This includes ensuring their independence, providing adequate resources, and supporting their capacity to operate effectively,” GANHRI said in the statement.

NHRIs also reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate with States and use their broad and independent mandate “to contribute towards the realisation of human rights, peace and sustainable development”.