Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek and Deputy Ombudsman Miha Horvat are attending the annual meeting of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), taking place in Geneva from 30 March to 1 April 2026. The event brings together heads of national human rights institutions from around the world to address key challenges such as digital rights, climate change and the protection of vulnerable groups.

On the first day, 30 March 2026, Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek attended the General Assembly of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI), which brings together 50 European national human rights institutions. A statement was adopted on the draft political declaration of the Council of Europe on migration. The statement calls on Council of Europe member States to ensure, in the drafting of the declaration, respect for and protection of the human rights of all individuals in Europe, as well as the preservation of the independence of the European Court of Human Rights and the integrity of the system of the European Convention on Human Rights. The final declaration is expected to be adopted in May this year in Chișinău, Moldova.

Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek, Human Rights Ombudswoman and member of the ENNHRI Board, emphasises that “the European system of human rights protection is one of the key achievements of European States. Therefore, we, the members of the ENNHRI network, call on European States to ensure that the declaration fully respects the human rights of all individuals and the integrity of the European Court of Human Rights. We emphasise that migration management must not lead to a weakening of human rights standards and that political debate must remain committed to the principles of the rule of law, the universality of human rights and the independence of the judiciary. The discussion reaffirmed ENNHRI’s commitment to preventing backsliding in the field of human rights and to strengthening the role of national institutions in safeguarding the rule of law in Europe.”

The ENNHRI General Assembly also adopted a statement on the externalisation of migration policies and discussed regular matters related to the functioning of the network, including the report on ENNHRI’s work for the period November 2025 to March 2026, the financial report, and further activities aimed at strengthening the independence and effectiveness of national human rights institutions. An increasing number of European national institutions are facing threats to their functioning or independence. The agenda also included issues relating to the updating of the accreditation process for national institutions within GANHRI, as well as cooperation with the United Nations.

The annual meeting, organised by GANHRI in cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), provides an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among national institutions. As part of the GANHRI programme, Human Rights Ombudswoman Dr Simona Drenik Bavdek is participating in panel discussions and bilateral meetings, thereby contributing, through the Ombudsman, to the development of global human rights protection standards.

Further details of the event can be found on the GANHRI website:

https://ganhri.org/ganhri-brin...