Michelle Bachelet alarmed by attacks on NHRIs in Latin America and the Caribbean
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has sounded the alarm over the rising number of threats, attacks and attempts to undermine and delegitimise independent national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in Latin America and the Caribbean.
“The work of independent national human rights institutions is crucial for any society. However, they can only fulfil their mandate of protecting and promoting human rights if they are able to operate without undue interference by governments and others, and are able to keep their independence. Otherwise, they will lose their credibility and legitimacy in the eyes of the people they are meant to serve,” Michelle Bacehelet said in a statement.
The Danish Institute for Human Rights welcomes the statement of support from the UN High Commissioner. Through the NHRI.EU. project the Institute has supported the establishment and strengthening of the network of national Human Rights Institutions in the Americas (RINDHCA) and support the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Human Rights Institutions GANHRI in promoting and strengthening NHRIs to be vested with competence to promote and protect human rights.
Both RINDCHA and the GANHRI have played a crucial role in raising international awareness of the harassment and threats that many NHRIs in Latin America and the Caribbean are facing.
The reported incidents include threats or harassment against the institutions or their staff in Bolivia, Chile and El Salvador; attacks against the premises and staff of the NHRI in Haiti; attempts to remove the head of the organization in Guatemala and Mexico at the state level. Also of concern are public statements discrediting the institutions’ work in Ecuador and Uruguay; budget cuts and the lifting of the immunity of the NHRI head in Peru.
“The statement of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet is a highly appreciated affirmation of the importance for NHRIs to carry out their mandate independently. The Danish Institute for Human Rights through the NHRI.EU. project and other activities in the region is committed to continue our support to reinforce the capacity of peer organisations in the region,” deputy executive director at the Danish Institute for Human Rights, Eva Grambye says.