National human rights institutions (NHRIs) as independent statutory bodies continue to play a key role in protecting and promoting human rights. They are peer reviewed, assessed and accredited to check their independence, effectiveness, resources, diversity and accountability. Accreditation improves their credibility globally and grants them certain rights within the international human rights protection system.
FRA’s NHRI accreditation and mandates - 2025 update highlights several developments:
- Accreditation- since the 2024 update, 18 NHRIs have applied for accreditation or re-accreditation. At present, there are five non-accredited institutions. These are in Czechia, Italy, Malta and two in Romania.
- Mandates - the EU’s AI Act requires EU Member States to identify bodies that will monitor the Act’s obligations in each Member State. The update indicates that 12 NHRIs are now also AI oversight bodies. In addition, the mandates of other NHRIs have changed to cover areas like child rights, freedom of movement or freedom of information.
- Application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights - in 2024, only three NHRIs did not use the EU Charter, the EU’s bill of rights which Member States have a duty to respect when acting within EU laws. Others use it in activities related to education, training and awareness raising. Five used the EU Charter in court cases.
- Monitoring EU funds - the number of NHRIs involved in monitoring the use of EU funds national remained the same since the last update.
- National laws - most NHRIs are involved in advising on national legislation. This may occur at different stages before or after laws come into force. 16 NHRIs are involved during impact assessments and in monitoring the impact of adopted laws.
The update includes information about NHRIs in the 27 EU countries as well as Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, and covers the period up to the end of 2024. It builds on FRA’s 2020 report Strong and effective national human rights institutions.
The update is part of the follow-up from FRA’s project ‘Supporting NHRIs in monitoring fundamental rights and the fundamental rights aspects of the rule of law,’ funded by the EEA and Norway Grants.