Deputy Ombudsman Attends GANHRI Annual Meeting in Geneva

Deputy Ombudswoman Estrela Chaby attended the annual meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), held from March 30 to April 1 in Geneva.

Organized in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), this meeting brought together national human rights institutions (NHRIs) from more than 90 countries. It also benefited from the participation and presence of observers from United Nations agencies, representatives of the European Union, and civil society organizations.

The annual conference focused on the role of NHRIs in promoting and protecting human rights in the digital space. The opening session featured addresses by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk; the President of the Human Rights Council, Sidharto Reza Suryodipuro; and the Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Alexander De Croo, followed by an interactive question-and-answer session with participating institutions.

The conference concluded with the unanimous adoption of a final declaration setting out concrete commitments for the promotion of human rights in the digital sphere by NHRIs, which can be viewed here.

The three-day programme also included the GANHRI General Assembly, regional network meetings, and NHRI Knowledge Exchange sessions dedicated to the protection of the rights of people on the move.

The first panel of these knowledge-sharing and good practices sessions focused on independent monitoring, strengthening NHRIs, the importance of partnerships and interinstitutional cooperation between NHRIs, international organizations, and civil society, as well as current challenges faced in different regions. The second panel addressed the reception and integration of migrants and refugees, including access to healthcare, education, housing, social protection, and decent work, as well as the role of NHRIs in promoting inclusion and combating discrimination.

As part of the meeting, a session of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), of which the Ombudsperson is a member, was also held, identifying new opportunities for collaboration and defining priorities for the network’s joint efforts.

The Ombudsperson’s Office also participated in the side event organized by the Spanish Defensor del Pueblo, entitled “The Protection of Children on the Move: Challenges for National Human Rights Institutions”.

On the occasion of the meeting, and within the framework of cooperation with counterpart institutions, the Deputy Ombudsperson also held bilateral meetings with the Ombudsperson of Timor-Leste and the Ombudsman of Ukraine.