Frequently Asked Questions

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An NHRI is a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI). It is an independent body established by the government tasked, fundamentally, with promoting and protecting human rights inside a country. It works to ensure that a country implements its established human rights obligations (like commitments made under human rights treaties a country has ratified.) It sits outside the government and, depending on its mandate, helps to promote human rights in law, education and policy. An NHRI helps to integrate international human rights obligations into a country’s domestic law, policy, and practice. 

Generally, an NHRI helps the government walk the walk when it comes to human rights. 

There isn't a one-size-fits-all description of an NHRI. Fundamentally, an NHRI is a central repository for information and documentation of the human rights commitments and adherence of a country.

The mandate of an NHRI depends on the powers it's given when it is established. Generally, an NHRI works to promote, protect and implement a country’s international human rights commitments. It can do that in a variety of ways: It could collect data and reports on trends. It might investigate individual cases or document patterns and practices. It may work to harmonize domestic laws to be sure they align with treaty obligations. Importantly, it could work to educate the public about human rights obligations and promote ratification of additional human rights treaties. In some countries, NHRIs have the ability to bring lawsuits or launch investigations. 

An NHRI can serve vital functions like assessing legislation, policies and practices in light of human rights principles and impacts. It could also seek to increase community participation, improve transparency and accountability, reduce vulnerabilities by focusing on the marginalized, empower capacity building, promote the realization of human rights and greater impact on policy and practice, and promote sustainable results and sustained change. 

An NHRI in the US would be designed to fulfill our specific needs in the US.

The United States lacks both a national strategy and any infrastructure to promote and protect human rights at the federal, state or local levels. Ironically, the United States promotes the establishment of NHRIs abroad while refusing to establish one at home. This makes the United States an outlier, globally and undercuts our diplomatic efforts as a beacon of human rights.

Despite having ratified core human rights treaties including the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), the Convention Against Torture and all forms of Inhuman and Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT), and the Convention Against all forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD), the United States lacks an independent body that can monitor and apply human rights frameworks to domestic problems. 

An NHRI could monitor international recommendations made to the United States during treaty body and Universal Periodic Review cycles, identifying laws and new pathways to implement those recommendations and engaging in educational efforts to create a culture of human rights at home. 

The functions, authority and structure of an NHRI in the United States should be designed in a way that fits within the framework of law and governance in the United States. Regardless of the model finally adopted, an NHRI for the US could collect valuable data, promote accountability for upholding human rights, and help strengthen commitment to rule of law and civic enfranchisement.

110 countries around the world have NHRIs. The United States is one of the only Western democracies not to have an NHRI.

 Every NHRI is different, but they operate within a common set of best practices and principles. In 1993, the United Nations adopted the Paris Principles, a set of guidelines to frame the establishment and effective working of an NHRI. Among the best practices identified in the Paris Principles are ensuring that an NHRI is independent, has a clear mandate, and sufficient funding to operate. 

The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) is a network of NHRIs from over 110 countries which provides technical assistance and support for NHRIs around the world. GANHRI also has an accreditation mechanism to ensure that NHRIs remain independent, pluralistic and accountable.  

There is a growing (and very welcome) movement to establish state and local human rights commissions around the country. In places like Kentucky, Los Angeles, St. Louis, or Washington, DC, these commissions often seek to address discrimination and lift up under-served communities. A federal mechanism which supports these movements with a body dedicated to the articulation, promotion and protection of human rights standards could help support respect for human rights at all levels in the United States. 

The International Association of Official Human Rights Agencies (IAOHRA), the umbrella organization for state and local human rights commissions, is a strong supporter of the Campaign for an NHRI in the US.

There are a variety of ways to get involved in the Campaign:

• Spread the word!
• Contact your Member of Congress or Senator and tell them they should support the creation of an NHRI
• Call the White House and ask them to set up a Study Commission for an NHRI
• Get a local resolution passed supporting the establishment of a Study Commission
• Sign up to get Campaign updates
• Spread the world some more!
• Send us your great ideas and let us know what you're doing to help create an NHRI in the United States!

Check out the Take Action page on this website to see more options for ways to get involved.