GANHRI (Global Alliance Of National Human Rights Institutions)

What GANHRI (Global Alliance Of National Human Rights Institutions) does

GANHRI (Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions) is a non-profit membership organization founded in 1993 in Tunis, Tunisia, and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland within the Palais des Nations. It serves as the global umbrella network for over 115 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) across four regions, coordinating through the regional networks NANHRI (Africa), RINDHCA (Americas), APF (Asia-Pacific), and ENNHRI (Europe). Its core function is the peer-review accreditation of NHRIs against the Paris Principles through its Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), which determines whether NHRIs meet international standards of independence, pluralism, and effectiveness, and through which NHRIs gain standing to participate in UN human rights mechanisms.

GANHRI's products and services are organizational and educational rather than technology-based. Core offerings include the SCA peer-review accreditation process, an NHRI Accreditation Database organizing compliance excerpts since 2017, the SCA Manual, General Observations providing interpretative guidance on the Paris Principles, an annual training course on the international human rights system held in Geneva, and webinar series on topics including the Universal Periodic Review and the right to a healthy environment. Underlying technology is a web-based platform for member services, advocacy coordination, and information dissemination. Governance comprises a General Assembly, Bureau, Sub-Committee on Accreditation, Finance Committee, and Working Groups covering nine thematic areas (SDGs, Human Rights Defenders, Climate Change, Business and Human Rights, People on the Move, Gender Discrimination, Disability Rights, Older Persons, and Torture Prevention).

GANHRI is funded through grants from institutional partners rather than commercial revenue. Key funders include the European Union (Strong NHRIs Project), the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (supporting the Tripartite Partnership), and UN agencies including OHCHR (which serves as GANHRI's Secretariat) and UNDP. The organization does not charge fees for core services. Strategic positioning is maintained through the Tripartite Partnership with OHCHR and UNDP, thematic collaborations with UNHCR, UNEP, UN Women, UNICEF, UNFPA, and an OECD Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2025. No revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

GANHRI (Global Alliance Of National Human Rights Institutions)

Legal name

Global Alliance of Human Rights Institutions

Website

https://ganhri.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

GANHRI is a Geneva-based non-profit founded in 1993 that unites over 115 National Human Rights Institutions across four regions, providing Paris Principles-based accreditation, capacity building, and UN advocacy coordination through its Subsidiary Committee on Accreditation and four regional networks.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

International Human Rights Coordination and Accreditation

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), International Affairs (92812)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPADAAAA

United Nations System & Specialized Agencies

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Multilateral & Intergovernmental Organizations

SECONDARYBPADALAA

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support

Business & Public Services/International Organizations & Development/Climate, Environment & Sustainable Development Programs

Keywords

• Human rights accreditation
• NHRI coordination
• Paris Principles compliance
• Capacity building training
• International human rights advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Geneva

HQ country

Switzerland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GANHRI is a member-based global alliance of over 115 National Human Rights Institutions that provides accreditation of NHRIs against the Paris Principles through its Sub-Committee on Accreditation, capacity building through annual training courses and webinars, advocacy coordination at UN human rights mechanisms, and knowledge exchange across four regional networks. The organization's core deliverables include the SCA peer-review accreditation process, the NHRI Accreditation Database, thematic guidance documents, and the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 framework guiding NHRI support globally.

Product overview

GANHRI (Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions) is a member-based global alliance rather than a technology product company. It provides coordination, accreditation, and capacity-building services for over 115 National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) worldwide. The core offerings include: the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) peer-review process for NHRI compliance with Paris Principles; the NHRI Accreditation Database for tracking compliance; the GANHRI SCA Manual and General Observations publications; training courses and webinar series on international human rights mechanisms; and the Strategic Plan 2023-2027 framework. These services are organizational and educational in nature, focused on strengthening human rights institutions rather than technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA) A peer-based accreditation body that reviews and accredits National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) for compliance with the Paris Principles, making recommendations to the GANHRI Bureau for final decisions on accreditation status.
• NHRI Accreditation Database A searchable database that collects excerpts from SCA reports since 2017, organizing them against Paris Principles requirements and General Observations to provide insights into criteria for NHRI effectiveness and independence.
• GANHRI SCA Manual A comprehensive manual on the accreditation process, marking the 25th anniversary of the Paris Principles, that outlines the accreditation process and the work of the Sub-Committee on Accreditation.
• General Observations Authoritative interpretative statements developed by the SCA that assist in understanding and implementing the Paris Principles, providing specific guidance for States and NHRIs on compliance.
• Training Course for NHRIs on the International Human Rights System An annual training course held in May in Geneva, Switzerland, designed to strengthen NHRIs' capacity to effectively engage with United Nations human rights mechanisms.
• Webinar Series on the Universal Periodic Review A webinar series hosted in conjunction with OHCHR and UPR Info that helps NHRIs prepare for their participation in the UPR process, including reporting and learning from other NHRIs' experiences.
• Webinar Series on the Right to a Healthy Environment Interactive webinars for NHRIs discussing their role and experience in relation to environmental matters, providing opportunities for knowledge exchange, sharing challenges, opportunities, and good practices.
• Strategic Plan 2023-2027 GANHRI's five-year roadmap defining how it will support new and existing NHRIs, strengthen their capacity, bring them together to share expertise, and amplify their voice to influence global policymaking.
• Paris Principles Documents Internationally agreed minimum standards that NHRIs must meet to be considered credible, including requirements for independence, broad mandate, pluralism, adequate powers and resources, cooperative methods, and international engagement.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025GANHRI Working Group on Business and Human Rights serves as focal point for implementing a Memorandum of Understanding signed with OECD in 2025. The MoU aims to advance respect for human rights in business activities through greater use of OECD Guidelines and Paris Principles.
• OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011OHCHR serves as GANHRI's Secretariat and hosts the Sub-Committee on Accreditation under its National Institutions and Regional Mechanisms Section. The partnership provides institutional support and legitimacy to GANHRI's global operations.
• UNDP (United Nations Development Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011UNDP collaborates with GANHRI and OHCHR in the Tripartite Partnership (TPP) to strengthen NHRIs' capacity to promote and protect human rights. The partnership provides joint technical assistance, resources, and country-level support.
• UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGANHRI and UNHCR collaborate strategically to enhance protection of refugees, asylum-seekers, internally displaced and stateless persons. They launched a Guide on UNHCR's engagement with NHRIs and established a community of practice for staff across all regions.
• UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGANHRI and UNEP collaborate to implement the Outcome Statement on Climate Change and NHRIs, with focus on building institutional capacity of NHRIs in monitoring and reporting on human rights and climate change. UNEP also provides financial support through project grants.
• UN WomenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGANHRI works with UN Women on gender equality and women's rights initiatives, facilitating NHRIs' engagement with the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and the Committee on Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
• UNICEFmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGANHRI and UNICEF developed a toolkit for NHRIs providing guidance on promotion and outreach activities with and for children, building on the link between promotion work and increased visibility of institutions.
• UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGANHRI and UNFPA collaborated to co-organize the Launching of Primer on Conducting Public Inquiries to Eliminate Female Genital Mutilation, examining the role of NHRIs in promoting accountability for women and girls.
• OVRA (Office of the Victims' Rights Advocate)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGANHRI and OVRA jointly produced a guide for NHRIs to translate a victim-centred approach into practice and realise the rights of victims of sexual exploitation and abuse. NHRIs serve as strategic partners to fulfil OVRA's mandate.
• OHCHR (as Secretariat)coreOthersOHCHR acts as GANHRI's Secretariat and provides operational support including hosting the SCA and facilitating UN engagement.
• APF (Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four regional NHRI networks that GANHRI works closely with to best support members. The regional networks provide regional coordination and capacity building.
• ENNHRI (European Network of National Human Rights Institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four regional NHRI networks that GANHRI works closely with to best support members. The regional networks provide regional coordination and capacity building.
• NANHRI (Network of African National Human Rights Institutions)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four regional NHRI networks that GANHRI works closely with to best support members. The regional networks provide regional coordination and capacity building.
• RINDHCA (Network of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the American Continent)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOne of four regional NHRI networks that GANHRI works closely with to best support members. The regional networks provide regional coordination and capacity building.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Broad incumbents

• Amnesty International: Global human rights movement with millions of members conducting research and advocacy across the full spectrum of human rights issues. Broader in scope than GANHRI's NHRI-specific mandate but shares the global advocacy and accountability mission.
• Association for the Prevention of Torture (APT): Geneva-based non-governmental organization focused on preventing torture and ill-treatment, including through strengthening National Preventive Mechanisms and NHRIs. Highly comparable mission overlap given GANHRI's torture prevention thematic area.
• Human Rights Watch: International non-governmental organization conducting human rights research and advocacy across more than 90 countries. Comparable as a globally recognized human rights monitoring and standards body, though focused on country-level documentation rather than NHRI accreditation.
• International Commission of Jurists: Geneva-based international organization of jurists dedicated to upholding human rights and rule of law through legal standards and advocacy. Comparable as a Geneva-headquartered human rights standards body, though focused on legal/judicial dimensions rather than NHRI accreditation.
• OHCHR (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights): The principal UN body mandated to promote and protect human rights. Functions as GANHRI's Secretariat and the most direct institutional counterpart, but operates at vastly broader scale across the full UN human rights system rather than focusing exclusively on NHRIs.

Direct peers

• APF (Asia Pacific Forum of National Human Rights Institutions): Asia Pacific regional NHRI network providing regional coordination, capacity building, and peer support. Directly comparable to GANHRI's mandate at the regional level and one of its four core regional network partners.
• FIDH (International Federation for Human Rights): Federation of 192 national human rights organizations operating as a membership-based global advocacy network. Closely comparable to GANHRI's model of federating independent national bodies for collective international advocacy and representation.
• RINDHCA (Network of National Institutions for the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights in the American Continent): Americas regional NHRI network that GANHRI identifies as one of its four core regional network partners. Comparable as a regional coordinating body with parallel mandate for NHRI capacity building and protection.
• NANHRI (Network of African National Human Rights Institutions): African regional NHRI network coordinating NHRIs across the continent. Structurally and functionally similar to GANHRI at the regional tier, with comparable accreditation support, capacity building, and advocacy coordination functions.
• ENNHRI (European Network of National Human Rights Institutions): European regional network of NHRIs, structurally identical to GANHRI but operating at the European regional level. Highly comparable as a peer-to-peer coordinating body for national human rights institutions with parallel accreditation support and capacity-building functions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ganhri

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GANHRI (Global Alliance Of National Human Rights Institutions)