04/08/2022

The first study on National Human Rights Action Plans

Picture NHRAP

The Danish Institute for Human Rights  (DIHR) published a new study that provides an overview of the diffusion of national human rights action plans (NHRPs).

The concept of NHRAPs was developed as part of the World Conference on Human Rights held in Vienna in 1993. The Conference recommended that “each State consider the desirability of drawing up a national action plan identifying steps whereby that State would improve the promotion and protection of human rights.” NHRPs can be key tools for the implementation of human rights recommendations received by international mechanisms as the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). For this reason, since 2017 the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has been systematically calling on states to adopt NHRAPs in the follow-up letters to states following their UPR reviews.

The study shows that the dissemination of action plans is widespread and how they actually contribute to the implementation of human rights. This first comprehensive inventory of all national human rights action plans, “reveals that at least 140 NHRAPs have been adopted in 75 countries, meaning that the diffusion of NHRAPs is far more significant than accounted for so far.”

As in 2023 will mark the 30th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration, we believe this to be a timely and inspirational document for States and key stakeholders engaged in the implementation of human rights.  To read the report, click here.

Countries: Denmark