"A national human rights institution (NHRI) is an independent state-based institution with the responsibility to broadly protect and promote human rights in a given country."
Focuses on how human rights are protected at the national level, including the relationship between international and national law, constitutional provisions, and the role of domestic courts.
International human rights law: This topic covers the key principles, treaties, and conventions that form the foundation of human rights law. Students will learn about the key international legal instruments that define human rights and how these rights have evolved over time.
Historical background of human rights: This topic explores the history of human rights, from their early development to their place in modern international law. It includes topics such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the French Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen, and other key documents.
Human rights institutions and actors: This topic covers the different institutions and actors involved in the protection and promotion of human rights. Students will learn about the UN system, NGOs, and other organizations that are involved in this work.
Domestic human rights frameworks: This topic explores the legal frameworks that protect human rights at the national level. It includes topics such as human rights commissions, constitutional protections, and other forms of domestic human rights law.
Human dignity and human rights: This topic examines the concept of human dignity and its relationship to human rights. Students will learn about the role of human dignity in international human rights law and how it is used to define and protect rights.
Economic, social and cultural rights: This topic explores the relationship between economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights. Students will learn about the importance of these rights in promoting equality, social justice, and economic development.
Human rights and the environment: This topic examines the relationship between human rights and the environment. Students will learn about the impacts of environmental degradation on human rights, and the role that human rights law can play in protecting the environment.
Human rights and international criminal law: This topic explores the interaction between human rights law and international criminal law. Students will learn about the international criminal courts and tribunals that prosecute individuals for human rights violations.
Human rights and armed conflict: This topic examines the relationship between human rights law and armed conflict. Students will learn about the role of international law in regulating armed conflict, and how it seeks to protect civilians and prevent human rights abuses.
Human rights advocacy and communication: This topic covers the strategies and tactics used by human rights organizations to promote human rights and raise awareness about abuses. It includes topics such as advocacy campaigns, social media strategy, and the role of the media in human rights reporting.
Constitutional Human Rights Law: This type of law resides in a country's constitution and provides for the protection and promotion of human rights in that country.
Statutory Human Rights Law: Statutory law is created by legislators and enforced by law enforcement agencies, and this type of law covers different aspects of human rights, such as discrimination, equal opportunities, freedom of speech, and other areas.
Common Law Human Rights Law: Common law laws are based on court decisions or precedent and can be used to promote and protect human rights. Common laws are generally used in countries where the legal system is based on Anglo-American law.
Administrative Human Rights Law: Administrative law can regulate human rights by creating rules for individuals and groups to follow while carrying out specific activities. This type of law is enforced by government agencies such as the police.
International Human Rights Law: International human rights law is established by international agreements and treaties that promote and protect human rights worldwide.
Humanitarian Law: Humanitarian law aims to promote human rights during armed conflicts and protect civilians, prisoners of war, and other non-combatants from harm.
"There are over one hundred such institutions."
"The growth of such bodies has been encouraged by the OHCHR, which has provided advisory and support services."
"Two-thirds assessed by peer review as compliant with the United Nations standards set out in the Paris Principles."
"...accreditation at the UN... is not conducted directly by a UN body but by a sub-committee of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)."
"NHRIs can be grouped together into two main categories: human rights commissions and ombudspersons."
"While most ombudspersons have their powers vested in a single person, human rights commissions are led by multi-member boards."
"NHRIs are sometimes set up to deal with specific issues such as discrimination, although the Paris Principles requires they should be bodies with broad responsibilities."
"Specialized national institutions also exist in many countries to protect the rights of a particular vulnerable group..."
"NHRIs under the Paris Principles have an explicit and broad human rights mandate that should include both promotion and protection functions. This can include research, documentation, training, and education in human rights issues."
"...than the classical ombudsman model which tends to work on handling complaints about administrative deficiencies."
"The degree of independence of these institutions depends upon national law, and best practice requires a constitutional or statutory basis rather than (for example) a presidential decree."
"Nations human rights institutions are also referred to by the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities."
"...reaccreditation every five years."
"The secretariat to the review process is provided by the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section of the OHCHR."
"In most countries, a constitution, a human rights act or institution-specific legislation will provide for the establishment of a national human rights institution."
"About two-thirds assessed by peer review as compliant with the United Nations standards set out in the Paris Principles."
"...facilitated access for NHRIs to the United Nations (UN) treaty bodies and other committees."
"The OHCHR... has provided advisory and support services."
"...accreditation at the UN... is not conducted directly by a UN body but by a sub-committee of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)."