Systematic human rights work
Everybody should be able to enjoy human rights. To reach this aim, systematic work is needed to make internationally agreed human rights standards a reality in everyday life. An inclusive and participatory approach involving public authorities, civil society, business sector and national human rights structures is essential for improving human rights protection. Such work should be continuous and it requires measureable objectives, effective coordination and independent evaluation of results.
National action plans for human rights (NAPs) are an effective tool for making this happen. A growing number of European countries are using them to address a broad range of human rights in a coherent way. NAPs are useful for assigning responsibilities and identifying gaps in human rights work. The Commissioner for Human Rights gives guidance on NAPs and promotes their preparation and implementation during country visits and through other activities. In March 2014, the Commissioner organised a workshop to exchange experience and lessons learned and to develop a network of practitioners in this area.
National action plans for human rights in Europe ( open / close )
Last update: June 2017
Country | Expired NAP | Evaluation (partial) / implementation report |
Current NAP | future NAP under preparation / consideration |
---|---|---|---|---|
Armenia | 2014–2016 | 2017-2019 | ||
Austria | ♦ | |||
Azerbaijan | 2006, 2012–2015 |
|||
Bosnia and Herzegovina | ♦ | |||
Croatia | 2008–2011, 2013–2016 |
2015 | ||
Finland | 2012–2013 | 2014 | 2017–2019 | |
Georgia | 2014–2016 | 2017 | 2016–2017 2014–2020 |
|
Greece | 2014–2016 | |||
Iceland | ♦ | |||
Latvia | 1995 | |||
Lithuania | 2002 | |||
Republic of Moldova | 2004–2008, 2011–2014 |
2015 | 2018–2022 | |
Netherlands | 2013– | |||
Norway | 2000–2005 | |||
Portugal | ♦ | |||
Russian Federation | ♦ | |||
Slovakia | 2016 | 2014–2020 | ||
Spain | 2008–2012 | 2012 | ♦ | |
Sweden | 2002–2004, 2006–2009 |
2004, 2011 | 2016– | |
Turkey | 2015, 2016, 2017[1] | 2014–2019 | ||
Ukraine | 2015–2020 | |||
Kosovo* | 2009–2011 | ♦ | ||
Scotland in the United Kingdom | 2014, 2015, 2016 | 2013–2017 | ||
1 Reports not available publicly. * All reference to Kosovo, whether to the territory, institutions or population, in this text shall be understood in full compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 and without prejudice to the status of Kosovo. |
Recommendation
- Recommendation on systematic work for implementing human rights at the national level (February 2009)
Workshop conclusions
- Conclusions: Workshop on the implementation and impact of national human rights action plans (December 2017)
- Conclusions: Workshop on developing and implementing national action plans for human rights (May 2014)
Issue Paper
Resources
- OHCHR: Handbook on National Human Rights Plans of Action (29 August 2002)
- OHCHR: Human Rights Indicators: A Guide to Measurement and Implementation (2012)
- Council of Europe Congress: Best practices of implementation of human rights at local and regional level in member states of the Council of Europe and other countries (7 April 2014)
- FRA: Joining up fundamental rights - Toolkit for local, regional and national public officials
- Government Offices of Sweden: Conclusions from the International Conference on Systematic Work for Human Rights Implementation (18 February 2009)
Visit reports:
- Armenia (2015)
- Austria (2012)
- Finland (2012)
- Georgia (2014)
- Greece (2013)
- Iceland (2016)
- Republic of Moldova (2013)
- Slovak Republic (2015)
- Turkey (2013)
- The Netherlands (2014)