Arab Network for National Human Rights Institutions

The ANNHRI is a regional network of Arab national institutions for the protection and promotion of human rights. It has its own legal personality and financial autonomy. The President of the Network is elected for a term of two year, the Secretary General for a term of four years. The Network has an Executive Committee and a Secretariat.

Objectives of the ANNHRI:

- Strengthening and promoting human rights through the consolidation of the role of Arab NHRI, so that they can effectively play their role in the protection and respect for human rights, in their respective countries;

- Promoting and disseminating the culture of human rights among citizens, stakeholders, in the public and private sectors, and civil society associations;

- Advising on harmonization of national legislation with the provisions of international human rights conventions, ratified by the Arab countries

- Capacity building for the member institutions of the Network

- Encouraging the establishment of national human rights institutions and strengthening their role in accordance with the Paris Principles;

- Strengthening relations of cooperation and coordination among national institutions themselves and with the International Coordinating Committee of National human Rights Institutions and the relevant regional and international organizations;

Membership is open to any national institution established, under the Paris Principles, in any country member of the Arab League. The financial resources of the Network consist of contributions from national institutions, donations accepted by the Executive Committee, which should comply with the objectives of the Network, as well as income from the Network’s investments.

The National Council for Human Rights (CNDH) was elected to chair the Network in the 9^th Annual Meeting of Arab National Human Rights Institutions, hosted by the Council from the 15^th to the 16^th of June 2013 in Rabat. The Egyptian National Council for Human Rights was elected as Vice-President.

CNDH played a major role in the establishment of the Network, which draws its reference from the values ​​and principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the international and regional conventions on human rights.