European Network of National Human Rights Institutions

(ENNHRI)

ICC Bureau Meeting

25 November 2014; Accra, Ghana

Report on Regional Activities: Europe

Prof Alan Miller, Chair of ENNHRI

The ENNHRI Chair underlined that 2013 had been a big year for ENNHRI.This year, ENNHRI established a Permanent Secretariat in Brussels, with the generous support of a start-up grant from OHCHR. Debbie Kohner began work to set up and direct the Secretariat in February 2013.

At ENNHRI’s May 2013 meeting, members adopted a constitution for ENNHRI and agreed to introduce membership fees on incorporation. ENNHRI has now received confirmation of its incorporation as an International Not-for-profit Association under Belgian law. This will facilitate fundraising activities, including members’ subscriptions.

Also in May 2013, ENNHRI elected a new European Coordinating Committee (ECC). Following these elections, ENNHRI’s centre of gravity, which was historically anchored in Western Europe, has shifted towards Eastern Europe. In particular, the Albanian and Georgian members are both on the ECC, and Albania also serves on the ICC Bureau.

In June 2013, ENNHRI hosted its first public event, which addressed ‘Austerity and Human Rights in Europe’. The speakers included the UN Special Representative for Foreign Debt, representatives of our regional human rights mechanisms, and EU policy makers, as well as ENNHRI members. During the summer months, we also carried out an extensive membership survey to take stock of where we’ve been and members’ preferred direction of travel. This is particularly important given the recent institutional changes.

The establishment of the Secretariat has also helped us to develop our relationships with regional human rights mechanisms. Following a stakeholder meeting in October 2013, ENNHRI has agreed to work in closer cooperation on specific subject areas with the Council of Europe, the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights, and the European Network of Equality Bodies for the next two to three years.

In November 2013, ENNHRI hosted a strategic planning meeting in Budapest, with the generous support from OSCE-ODIHR. At this meeting, members agreed a three-year strategic plan and one-year operational plan. The key objectives in these plans are to increase engagement (regional and international); increase communication (external and internal); support the establishment, strengthening and accreditation of European NHRIs; and build a strong and sustainable secretariat. ENNHRI is currently planning a pilot summer academy to build European NHRI staff members’ capacity. This will also be funded by OSCE-ODIHR.

The ENNHRI Chair extended his thanks to the ICC Chair, Adv Mushwana, for his leadership in helping the ICC move beyond its recent difficulties. He also thanked the SAHRC staff members, Judith Cohen and Vivian John-Langba, for progress made.

Prof Miller cautioned that the ICC can’t now go back to business as usual, but needs to continue to improve. He referred to the recent UN General Assembly resolution on NHRIs as throwing down the gauntlet, and conferring responsibility on the ICC. In particular, he suggested that the ICC builds on its interventions to UN bodies, for which members need increased understanding of the importance and benefits of making these interventions.The ENNHRI Chair confirmed the Europe region’s commitment to working with the ICC Chair and Geneva Representative to increase Human Rights Council input.

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