Who we are
HRDN members are united by our vision that human rights and democracy should be placed at the heart of the European Union’s internal and external policy agenda. We work together toward an EU which effectively protects human rights at home, and is a force for positive change in the world.
Recognised by the EU institutions, HRDN is routinely invited to brief and advise policymakers and officials in our areas of expertise. HRDN is also the EU’s official partner in the organisation of the annual EU NGO Forum on Human Rights.
The network consists of 65 members, all of whom are registered in the EU transparency register, and abide by other aspects of our Rules of Engagement. You can also view our full members list here.
How we work
HRDN is a membership organisation led by a Troika, who can be reached at troika@hrdn.eu. The current members are:
Jonathan de Leyser
Catherine Absalom
Our work is coordinated by internal Working Groups, each facilitated by a Chairperson. Download an application form here, and send it to troika@hrdn.eu.
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European Parliament Working Group
The European Parliament Working Group contributes to the enhancement of the European Parliament’s action on human rights and democracy matters and supports the EU role as a global actor on these issues, through engagement with the Subcommittee on Human Rights (DROI) and the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET), the Human Rights Action Unit and through interaction with the EP Friends of Human Rights group of MEPs.
Chair: Emma Achilli, International Dalit Solidarity Network, euadvisor (@) idsn.org
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EU Internal Human Rights Policy Working Group
The EU Internal Human Rights Policy Working Group advocates that the EU and its Member States should elaborate a comprehensive internal human rights strategy to strengthen EU action on human rights across all EU internal policies – complementing the externally-focused EU strategic framework on human rights and democracy.
Chair: Alessia Mora, Open Society Foundations, alessia.mora (@) opensocietyfoundations.org
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Funding for Human Rights and Democracy Working Group
The Funding for Human Rights and Democracy Working Group follows the programming and implementation of the EU funds supporting actions on human rights and democracy, in particular the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), with a view to increasing the effectiveness of the EU financial support to human rights defenders and civil society organisations in the EU’s partner countries.
Chair: Santa Falasca, International Centre for Transitional Justice, sfalasca (@) ictj.org
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Membership Working Group
The membership working group reviews compliance of current members with HRDN’s Rules of Engagement, and reviews applications from prospective members. If you are considering applying to become an HRDN member, please download and complete the application form available on our members page, and contact the Troika at:
