Danish Institute for Human Rights

Date established:

DIHR was established as a Centre for Human Rights in 1987. DIHR in its present form was established on 1 January 2003.

Mode of establishment:

The Institute was originally established on the basis of a parliamentary decision. In 2002 the Danish Parliament passed the Act on establishing the Centre for International Studies and Human Rights, which in effect gave DIHR a mandate to become an equal treatment body. In 2003 the Parliament passed the Act on Ethnic Equal Treatment, which gave DIHR the mandate to establish a complaints body.

Status:

DIHR is a National Human Rights Institute in accordance with the UN 1993 Paris Principals. DIHR is subordinate to the Minster of Foreign Affairs but it is an independent self-governing institution.

Act on Establishing the Centre for International Studies and Human Rights: http://www.humanrights.dk/upload/application/12975023/final-law-on-dcish-12-marts-03.pdf

Act on Ethnic Equal Treatment (not available in English):

http://www.retsinfo.dk/_GETDOCI_/ACCN/A20030037430-REGL

Act on prohibition of differential treatment on the labour market (not available in English):

http://www.retsinfo.dk/_GETDOCI_/ACCN/A20050003129-REGL

Mandate/objectives:

"Promote equal treatment of all persons without discrimination on the basis of race or ethnic origin, including the provision of assistance to victims of discrimination for having their complaints dealt with, with due regard for the rights of the victims, the associations, the organisation and other legal entities, to initiate independent analyses on discrimination and to make recommendations on issues relating to discrimination". Act on establishment of the Centre for International Studies and Human Rights, Section 2, subsection 2, point 4, and Act on Ethnic Equal Treatment Section 10, subsection 1.

Grounds of Discrimination covered:

The Complaints Committee has the power to address discrimination on the grounds of race and ethnicity only. However, DIHR can and does work with other grounds of discrimination when conducting studies and surveys, giving opinions and making reports.

Competencies and responsibilities:

DIHR's National Department and the Complaints Committee on Ethnic Equal Treatment primarily execute the equal treatment mandate.

The equal treatment mandate gives DIHR the competence to conduct studies and research, make independent analyses and make recommendations on issues relating to discrimination, inclusion and migration. DIHR provides comments to legislative and policy proposals made by the Government and the Parliament.

DIHR provides information and training on anti-discrimination, equal treatment and diversity for both public authorities and NGO's.

Moreover, DIHR has established three different national networks to secure dialogue, co-ordination and information exchange on issues regarding equal treatment:

The MIA-network – Diversity in Working Life www.miapris.dk

Rådet for Menneskerettigheders Ligebehandlingsudvalg (DIHR’s Council for Human Rights’ equal treatment committee).

Danish Network of Legal Aid Institutions.

The Complaints Committee on Ethnic Equal Treatment is a quasi-judicial body. The Committee deals with complaints of discrimination on the grounds of race or ethnic origin. The Complaints Committee provides assistance to victims of discrimination and issues non-binding statements on whether discrimination has taken place. The Committee has the power to initiate independent investigations. More information on the Complaints Committee is available on www.klagekomite.dk

Main activities:

Please see above: "Competencies and responsibilities"

Publications:

All DIHR publications are available on www.humanrights.dk

Regular reports:

DIHR Annual Report,

Human Rights Denmark - Status Report (annual),

Complaints Committee on Ethnic Equal Treatment - Annual Report (not yet published).

Ad hoc:

Supplementary Reports to various UN treaty bodies (latest report: Supplementary Report to Denmark's 4^th National Report to the Committee on the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, October 2004 and Supplementary Report to the Committee on the Convention on the Right of the Child, January 2005)

Management:

DIHR's Director and the DIHR Board

Nomination of senior staff and board:

The Board of the DIHR consists of 13 members serving in their personal capacity and appointed as follows:

Six members appointed by the Council for Human Rights (the Council for Human Rights consists of 60+ Danish NGOs, including political parties). At least two must represent ethnic minorities or have an affiliation with the area.

Two members appointed by the Rector of Copenhagen University

Two members appointed by the Rector of Aarhus University

Two members appointed by the Danish Rectors Conference

One member appointed by DIHR staff

Number of Staff:

DIHR has approximately 100 staff members, which includes academic/professional staff, administrative staff, students and trainees. Approximately 10 persons carry out the equal treatment mandate. This includes the Complaints Committee for Ethnic Equal Treatments secretariat.

Budget:

DIHR's total budget is approximately € 10 million per annum. About 20 to 25 percent of the budget is funded by the national budget. DIHR receives approximately € 0.8 million per annum for its equal treatment mandate.

Accountability:

Annual reports and audit.

Additional relevant information:

Further information is available on DIHR's homepage www.humanrights.dk

Address:

Strandgade 56,

DK-1401 Copenhagen K

Tel. : + 45 32 69 88 88

Fax : +45 32 69 88 00

www.Menneskeret.dk

www.humanrights.dk

www.klagekomite.dk