Netherlands Institute for Human Rights

Overview

The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights explains, monitors and protects human rights, promotes respect for human rights (including equal treatment) in practice, policy and legislation, and increases the awareness of human rights in the Netherlands. This applies to the European part of the Netherlands as well as to the islands of Bonaire, St. Eustatius and Saba (the Carribean Netherlands).

Brief history

The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights was founded in 2012. The NIHR came
into being by an act of Parliament. All the powers of the former Equal Treatment Commission (CGB) were transferred to the Institute.

With the creation of the Institute, the Netherlands has fulfilled UN resolution 48/1342. This resolution contains assurances for the independence of and recommendations concerning the role, composition, status and functions of national human rights bodies, the so-called Paris Principles. Both the law and the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights have been drafted/created on the basis of these principles.

In 2014, the Institute was awarded A-status by the International Coordinating Committee for national human rights institutions (ICC). This constituted international recognition that the Paris Principles are being fulfilled.

Governing laws and regulations

Mandate

Sectors covered

Private, Public

Legal standing before the courts

Bringing proceedings in the name of the equality body [with or without an identifiable victim], Amicus curiae brief or similar, Intervention in support of a party

Functions

• Making recommendations on claims of discrimination [or other decisions on the merit that are not legally binding]
• Undertaking ex-officio investigations
• Organising training, advising and capacity-building activities for particular stakeholders on meeting their obligations
• Organising awareness raising and communication activities
• Advising government on the development, adoption and amendment of law and policy
• Monitoring national law and policy from an equality perspective
• Carrying out specialist research on equality and non-discrimination
• Reporting to national and international bodies on discrimination issues
• Networking with relevant entities in the country and internationally

Fields and grounds

Other grounds

Nationality, civil status, fixed-term contracts versus permanent contracts, part-time/full time contracts, leave and flexible work (the last four only in the labour context)

Other functions

Addressing violence against women, Addressing hate crimes, Addressing hate speech

Other mandates of the institution

Multi-mandate equality body

National human rights institution, NPM under National Preventive Mechanism under the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, Designated as independent mechanism under UN CRPD Article 33(2), Equality Body

Institution

Management and Appointments

Management

Collegiate headed equality body (led by a distinct board/commission)

The Netherlands Institute for Human Rights is an independent administrative body. The Institute consists of (at most) 12 members appointed by the Crown. The Institute is supported by an office, which at the start of the organisation was on a scale of about 50 full time employees. The staff is comprised of civil servants employed by the Institute.

Procedure for nomination and appointment of management and board

The Institute consists of a board of (at most) 12 members, appointed by the Crown. Management staff is comprised of civil servants employed by the Institute.

Regional or Local offices

This institution does not have regional officies.

Accountability

National Ministry