Re-election to Chair European Network

The Scottish Human Rights Commission has been unanimously re-elected to the role of Chair of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) for a further three years.

The European Network co-ordinates work by 40 NHRIs across the Council of Europe region and is one of four regional networks within the International Co-ordinating Committee (ICC) of NHRIs.

The appointment as Chair was made in Geneva earlier this month and follows SHRC serving two years in the post to date. Accredited ombudsmen and commissions with “A status” – including the Scottish Human Rights Commission - have access to the United Nations human rights system, including speaking rights at the Human Rights Council.

Professor Miller said: “I’m delighted that the Commission continues to represent the wide range of organisations that make up the European Network. In our first term we were instrumental in strengthening ENNHRI through establishing a Secretariat in a Brussels office, increasing the network’s influence, more effectively involving sister NHRIs from Central and Eastern Europe as well as assisting those countries seeking to establish NHRIs. I also hope that over the next three years the work of the Scottish Human Rights Commission will continue to be shared with our sister organisations and that we can continue to learn from their experiences.”

Professor Miller was also unanimously voted into the role of Secretary of the International Co-ordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions. The ICC is the organising body for human rights commissions, ombudsman and institutions around the world, and includes members from Asia-Pacific, the Americas, Africa, and Europe.