National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRFs)

Over recent years, URG has been the leading organisation encouraging and shaping the development of NMIRFs as the best way to ensure that the UN human rights system has impact at national level (thereby bridging the long-standing ‘implementation gap’ and ‘connecting the international and the national), of boosting the relevance and credibility of the Council and its mechanisms (by tracking and measuring that impact), and of promoting the enjoyment of human rights.

As a result, NMIRFs are now a key part of the conversation about human rights promotion at national level, especially amongst developing countries. Today, the number of countries with functioning, high-quality NMIRFs has grown from around 20 to around 40. Many other States have accepted UPR recommendations to establish NMIRFs. It is therefore vital to develop universal principles or guidance for States to help them establish effective, inclusive and transparent NMIRFs in line with international best practice.

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International community takes “major step forward in efforts to strengthen…

Representatives of the international community compile first universal guidance framework for national mechanisms for implementation, reporting, and follow-up – the Marrakech Guidance Framework (MGF) From 16-17 October, around 100 representatives of the international community, including State representatives, as well as UN agencies, intergovernmental organisations, NHRIs, and civil society, met in…

States establish new global network of NMIRFs at international conference…

In a major step forward for the on-the-ground implementation and realisation of international human rights standards, earlier this month (8-9 May), UN member States meeting in Asunción, Paraguay, reached agreement on the establishment of a new global network of national mechanisms for implementation, reporting, and follow-up (NMIRFs). The network will…

Governmental human rights focal points: governments and national administrations as…

Human rights ministries, inter-ministerial delegations or committees, whether with a thematic or comprehensive human rights mandate, have become important domestic actors dedicated to driving human rights implementation and progress. These human rights focal points have emerged in State practice and, more recently, have been recognised in international law and guidance,…

Introducing ‘The Pacific Principles of Practice’ for effective national implementation

On 3 July a Human Rights Council side event was held at the Australian Mission in Geneva. Except for the fact that it was a COVID-era ‘hybrid’ side event, held simultaneously offline and online, at a superficial-level the side event was much like any other. Yet dig a little below…

The emergence and coming of age of National Mechanisms for…

One of the most promising yet least-studied and least-understood developments for the universal human rights ‘project’ (as Sir Nigel Rodley coined it) is the emergence and early development over the past three or four years of so-called ‘national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up’ (NMIRFs). These standing bodies, which usually…

NMRFs – A key State structure for effective reporting, coordination…

The international human rights system has expanded significantly over the past twenty years, both in terms of new human rights treaties, as well as the mechanisms established to monitor and advise States on human rights promotion and protection. It has empowered individuals worldwide, including the most marginalised and disadvantaged, to…