News: Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions will review India’s human rights accreditation status
Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI)
- Launched: 1993 in Tunisia as the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions (renamed GANHRI in 2016).
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- Objective: Promote global networks to enhance the fulfillment of human rights for all people.
- Members: 115 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs).
- Significance:
- Only non-UN body with an internal accreditation system based on compliance with the 1993 Paris Principles.
- Grants access to UN committees.
- Partnership: Tripartite partnership between GANHRI, UNDP, and OHCHR to strengthen NHRIs’ capacities.
- Rating System:
- A status: Full compliance with the Paris Principles, entitled to vote or hold office in GANHRI or its regional groups.
- B status: Partial compliance with the Paris Principles, can participate in GANHRI meetings but cannot vote or hold governance positions.
Status of India
- The National Human Rights Commission of India has been granted “A” status by GANHRI.
- This status was deferred in 2016 and restored after a year.
- However, NHRC’s ratings were put on hold in 2023 due to concerns over its composition procedure, the presence of police personnel in human rights investigations, and the lack of gender and minority representation.
- The accreditation status affects its ability to vote at the UN Human Rights Council and some UNGA bodies.
