As a National Human Rights Institution and National Equality Body, we are strengthened by our membership of global human rights and equality networks. One of our Strategic Priorities for 2025-2027 is to:
Fulfil our international role as part of a global network of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and National Equality Bodies (NEBs).
Under this priority, we have committed to:
- Engaging with NHRIs and NEBs across Europe and internationally to share learning, and to identify and promote best practice in our operations.
- Supporting and demonstrating solidarity with NHRIs and NEBs who are at risk when democracy, peace and the rule of law are under threat.
Engagement with international networks of National Human Rights Institutions and Equality Bodies
We are a member of the:
- European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI)
- European Network of Equality Bodies (Equinet)
- Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
- Management Board of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
ENNHRI
ENNHRI is the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions.
It unites more than 40 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Europe. This helps boost the promotion and protection of human rights across the region. The network creates a platform for working together on human rights issues. It also gives NHRIs a unified voice in Europe.
ENNHRI works to strengthen, support and connect NHRIs across Europe.
We participate in the ongoing work of ENNHRI’s:
- Legal Working Group
- Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Working Group
- Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Working Group
- Communications Working Group
- Asylum and Migration Working Group
- Artificial Intelligence Working Group
- Climate Crisis and Human Rights
- Business and Human Rights Working Group
Equinet
Equinet is the European Network of Equality Bodies.
It is a membership group that promotes equality in Europe. It supports and empowers National Equality Bodies in their work. It helps Equality Bodies work independently. This makes them effective in creating fairer societies.
Equinet works to:
- strengthen and support Equality Bodies to achieve equality for all
- act as the expert voice of Equality Bodies in Europe on equality and non-discrimination
- maintain and improve Equinet's capacity as a strong, resilient, and innovative Network
We participate in the ongoing work of Equinet’s:
- Communications Working Group
- Disability Cluster
- Research and Data Working Group
- Policy Formulation Working Group
- Equality Law Working Group
- AI Working Group
- Gender Equality Working Group
GANHRI
GANHRI is the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions.
The Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions is one of the largest human rights networks worldwide. It represents more than 110 NHRIs across all regions. GANHRI collaborates with four regional networks of NHRIs: Africa, the Americas, the Asia Pacific, and Europe. This forms a strong, unified structure of independent networks. They are responsible for reviewing and accrediting NHRIs to make sure they are complying with the Paris Principles. The Paris Principles are minimum standards that NHRIs must meet to be credible.
GANHRI is recognised, and is a trusted partner, of the United Nations. It has built strong ties with the UN Human Rights Office, UNDP, and other UN agencies. It also works with international and regional organisations, NGOs, civil society, and academia.
We meet annually with GANHRI to share learning and exchange knowledge.
European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
FRA is a unique organisation in the EU that promotes and protects human rights.
They help to defend the fundamental rights of all people living in the EU.
Fundamental rights define minimum standards to ensure everyone is treated with dignity.
The FRA Management Board includes experts from public and private sectors. They bring knowledge of fundamental rights from Member States, the European Commission, and the Council of Europe.
It is composed of:
- one independent person appointed by each of the 27 Member States of the EU and by each of the States holding observer status
- one independent person appointed by the Council of Europe
- two representatives of the EU Commission.
Each member may be assisted by an alternate member who is selected according to the same procedure.
The IHREC Act states that the representative from Ireland is chosen from the members of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
Jim Clarken is the current Commission appointee. He was re-elected Chairperson of the FRA Management Board in December 2024. Dr. Salome Mbugua is his alternate.
