Human rights institutions are now a part of the sustainable development goals
The Danish Institute for Human Rights together with the International Coordinating Committee of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (ICC) have been pushing for national human rights institutions to play a bigger role in the 2030 Agenda. This has now been achieved.
National Human Rights institutions (NHRIs) are nowan indicator under goal number 16, which aims to “promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.”
An unbiased and strong position
States are required to have a NHRI that meets UN standards laid down in the Paris Principles, which describe how they will function. For example, a NHRI shall be independent but still get financial support from the state. NHRI’s are uniquely positioned to play both a watchdog and advisor role because they operate from an unbiased and strong position between the State, civil society and international institutions.
This is a huge step for human rights. Where independent National Human Rights Institutions exist, they contribute to uphold human rights, and to ensure participation, accountability and non-discrimination. Thereby, they are essential elements of the accountability architecture that is needed to reach the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
NHRIs help develop peaceful and inclusive societies by advising governments and holding them accountable for their actions. Individual NHRIs can advise governments, investigate alleged rights violations, and monitor progress. "With the importance of NHRIs affirmed in the indicators framework, the Danish Institute for Human Rights and ICC look forward to working with actors at all levels to creating robust implementation and follow-up and review processes and ultimately making the SDGs a reality", affirms Eva Grambye, Deputy Executive Director of the International Division at the Danish Institute for Human Rights.
The new indicator list now including NHRIs was adopted by the UN Statistical Commission at its annual session the 11th ofmarch 2016.
The 2030 agenda for sustainable development is grounded in human rights. All Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and more than 92% of the targets are intrinsically linked to human rights. The Danish Institute for Human Rights have developed a guide showing the relationship between the SDGs and targets and human rights standards: www.humanrights.dk/sdg-guide
National Human Rights Institutions (NHRI) are independent state-funded institutions tasked to protect and monitor the human rights situation in a given country. Today, there are more than 100 NHRIs in the world. Two-thirds live up to the UN standards laid down in the
, which describes how NHRIs should work. The institutions play an increasingly important role in relation to safeguarding and promoting human rights in different countries and have an increasing influence in the United Nations.