MIGRATION - OHCHR's activities on Migration

National Human Rights Institutions

National human rights institutions (NHRIs) are independent bodies that are legally competent to promote and protect human rights. Their mandate and composition are clearly set forth in a constitutional or legislative text. They may take various forms, including human rights commissions, specialized human rights agencies or ombudsman.

Their role includes examining legislation, and advising and reporting to the Government, parliament and other competent bodies on the national human rights situation, legislation, policies and programmes.

NHRIs can protect human rights by drawing attention to human rights violations, carrying out investigations and developing complaint procedures. In some instances they provide remedies for such violations.
They also promote human rights and fundamental freedoms through research, education and information programmes.

Activities undertaken by OHCHR in partnership with National Human Rights Institutions:

International Workshop of National Institutions for the promotion and protection of human rights: Causes, effects and consequences of the migratory phenomenon and human rights protection”. Zacatecas, Mexico 15 October 2004.

- Background paper (in Spanish) and executive summary (in English)

- Outcome document: The Zacatecas declaration ( in English and Spanish)

International Seminar on “Irregular Migration and Trafficking, Human Rights and National Institutions” Campeche, Mexico, 11 March 2005.

- Background paper (in English)

- Outcome document: The Campeche Agreed Conclusions (in English and Spanish)

International Coordination Committee for National Institutions (ICC)

- ICC report (in English) (2005) (to be posted shortly)

International Conferences for National Institutions

- 5th International Conference for National Institutions, Rabat, Morocco, 2000. The Rabat Declaration (in English)

- 7th International Conference for National Institutions, Seoul, South Korea, 2004 – The Seoul Declaration: Migration in the context of conflict and terrorism (in English, French and Spanish)