Strong and effective NHRIs in the EU

News

As part of the project Supporting National Human Rights Institutions in Monitoring Fundamental Rights and Human Rights Aspects of the Rule of  Law (“Project”),  the Centre participated on international conference on strengthening the implementation of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights through stronger and more effective NHRIs in the EU.

The conference was preceded by a workshop focusing on ensuring the compliance of EU funds with fundamental rights, based on a strategic exchange of experience and skills between national authorities, NHRIs and civil society organisations. At the workshop, representatives of the Centre presented the lessons learned in the field of human rights compliance in the use of EU funds as a result of the Project and the intention to monitor the human rights compliance of the use of EU funds in the future.

The conference focused on the following strategic areas:

  • Role of NHRIs in promoting the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights
  • The role of NHRIs in addressing the rule of law challenges
  • Mainstreaming fundamental rights into EU Funds
  • Ways forward for stronger and more effective NHRIs in the EU
  • Human rights structures: Strong NHRIs in wider Europe

At the conference, we presented the activities carried during the project, in particular the workshops we organised and the rule of law initiatives. In the area of mainstreaming fundamental rights into the EU Funds, the Centre was represented in a panel discussion by doc. JUDr. Hana Kováčiková, PhD.

The conference was also the conclusion of the implementation of the Project. The Project was implemented in three key areas:

  • enhancing the use of the Charter by NHRIs and strengthening the role of these institutions in its implementation at the national level;
  • strengthening the capacity of NHRIs to monitor respect for fundamental rights and the rule of law by enhancing the involvement of these institutions in relevant European mechanisms; and promoting national dialogues on fundamental rights and the rule of law;
  • building capacities of NHRIs in monitoring compliance with fundamental rights in the implementation of EU funds.

Through activities in these key areas, the Project aimed at strengthening the position of NHRIs, their capacity to engage in fundamental rights and rule of law mechanisms and raising the level of protection of fundamental rights through enhanced implementation of the EU Charter. Of the activities that have been carried out, we can highlight the drafting of expert publications, the preparation of educational tools and training for various target groups, including students, representatives of civil society, the legal professions, and judges.

The Centre´s initiatives in the field of strengthening human rights and the rule of law do not end with this project. Thanks to the project, we have strengthened our skills and capacities. The Centre will continue to be committed to these strategic areas.

Concluding conference statement on the role of NHRISs is available for read here.