International framework

Our NHRI Status

As a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), we are responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in Britain, alongside the Scottish Human Rights Commission. January 2016 saw the UN renew the Commission’s ‘A’ status as an NHRI. To achieve this first-class accreditation we were rigorously assessed on our work and structure, including our independence from government, our encouragement of the UK Government to sign up to and ratify international human rights treaties; and our cooperation with other NHRIs in the UK and internationally.

We were the first NHRI in Great Britain to be awarded ‘A’ status in 2009, and it is a great honour to have our continued dedication to and work in this area recognised.

Our membership of the European and global networks of NHRIs and of Equinet (the European network of National Equality Bodies), and our contribution to bodies like the UN Human Rights Council, the UN treaty bodies, and the Council of Europe, open up important channels for influencing human rights domestically, as well as the overall international framework.

Further information

Read more about our international work in relation to:

• Council of Europe
• European Union
• United Nations
• Monitoring and promoting UN treaties

Treaties

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)
• Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (CAT)
• Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC)
• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD)
• Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW)
• Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD)

Last Updated: 15 Mar 2016