| Abstract: | Since the 1990s, the number of national human rights institutions(NHRIs or ‘national institutions’) has been growingin Europe. The aim of these institutions is to help implementinternational human rights at the national level and narrowthe gap between government and civil society. After discussingthe history and role as well as the advantages of creating nationalinstitutions in European states, this article analyses the differentmodels of composition and the principal competences of NHRIsin light of the Paris Principles that provide guidelines forthese institutions. The NHRIs also create networks at nationaland regional levels. The article highlights how NHRIs in Europecan contribute to the implementation of human rights and whatstructure, functions and relationships they may adopt in orderto ensure their effectiveness. |
