Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI; known as the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights until March 2016) is a representative body of national human rights institutions from all parts of the globe.

Its aim is to assist in establishing and strengthening independent and effective NHRIs, which meet the international standards set out in the Paris Principles.

GANHRI encourages joint activities and cooperation among NHRIs; organises international conferences; liaises with the United Nations and other international organisations; assists NHRIs under threat; and, where requested, assists governments to establish NHRIs.

The APF and our member institutions continue to make a significant contribution to the operations and human rights initiatives of GANHRI.

The organisation is incorporated as a non-profit organisation under Swiss law. Its Statute, adopted in March 2009, sets out its objectives and how it operates.

Membership

NHRIs which comply fully with the Paris Principles – and which have been granted 'A status' by GANHRI – are eligible to become voting members of GANHRI and to hold governance positions.

NHRIs which only partially comply with the Paris Principles – and which have been granted 'B status' by GANHRI – can participate in meetings of GANHRI but are not eligible to vote or to hold governance positions.

Bureau

The operations of GANHRI are managed by its Bureau, which is comprised of representatives from each of the four regional groupings: Africa, Americas, Europe and the Asia Pacific.

Each regional grouping is represented by elected representatives from four 'A status' NHRIs. The APF is currently represented on the GANHRI Bureau by Australia, Jordan, Korea and Qatar.

A key role of the Bureau is to assess applications for membership of the ICC. It also reviews and determines the accreditation status of NHRIs, following a recommendation from the Sub-Committee on Accreditation.

In addition, the Bureau collaborates with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in particular the National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Unit, to facilitate the participation of NHRIs in the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Bureau meetings are usually held twice a year; the first in conjunction with the first quarter session of the UN Human Rights Council and the second in conjunction with one of the NHRI regional network's meetings.

A meeting is also held in conjunction with the bi-annual International Conference.

Information on Bureau Meetings and Annual Meetings is available on the GANHRI website.

International Conference

The International Conference involves NHRIs, as well as representatives of United Nations agencies, international organisations and civil society.

The purpose of the International Conference is to strengthen cooperation between NHRIs, to discuss human rights issues of shared concern and to ensure follow-up at the national level.

Since 1991, the International Conference has been held every two years, alternating between Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Asia Pacific.

Office holders

The positions of GANHRI Chairperson and Secretary are served on a rotational basis by representatives nominated by the four regional coordinating committees: Europe, Africa, the Americas and the Asia Pacific.

The current GANHRI Chairperson is Carlos Alfonso Negret Mosquera, Ombudsman of Colombia, representing the Americas region.

The current GANHRI Secretary is Dr. Ali Bin Samikh Al Marri, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Committee of Qatar, representing the Asia Pacific region.

Secretariat

The National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Unit of OHCHR acts as GANHRI secretariat.

GANHRI has a permanent representative in Geneva to support and facilitate the participation of NHRIs in the UN Human Rights Council and its human rights mechanisms.

Further information is available from the GANHRI website.