Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR)

Date established 

1987

Mode of establishment

The DIHR was established by statute nr. 411 of June 6th 2002, in accordance with the law on the establishment of the Danish Institute for International Studies and Human Rights.

Status    

The Institute is an independent national human rights institution (NHRI), modelled in accordance with the UN Paris Principles and a national specialised equality body. The institute is part of the Danish Centre for International Studies and Human Rights (DCISM), which also includes a sister institute, the Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS).

Mandate/objectives    

The chief objective for the DIHR is to promote and develop knowledge about human rights on a national, regional and international level predicated on the belief that human rights are universal, mutually interdependent and interrelated. Since 2002, DIHR has carried the mandate as the national equal treatment body, in accordance to the danish law on equal treatment within the areas of race and ethnicity.

Grounds of discrimination covered

Race and ethnic origin

Competencies and responsibilities

The DIHR has the responsibility of promoting equal treatment for all without regards to race or ethnic origin. The DIHR also holds the responsibility of assisting victims of discrimination, as well as initiating independent investigations of alleged cases of discrimination, publishing independent reports on discrimination and to put forward recommendations on questions regarding discrimination.

Main activities 

Promotion of human rights and equal treatment and protection against human rights violations and discrimination.
    
Promotion of equality    

The DIHR has many ways to promote equal treatment but the main activities are as follow: information campaigns, education and capacity-building, developing new tools to promote diversity and equality, networks for NGOs, social partners and local government citizen advisory boards for effective assistance of victims of discrimination, data collection and monitoring.

Management    

The Danish Centre for International Studies and Human Rights is governed by a centre board, deciding on all essential matters relating to the administration and finance of the centre. The Institute for International Studies and the Danish Institute for Human Rights are each led by an institute board, which is responsible for all matters relating to substance and professional issues, including research strategy and task falling within the area specified for each institute.

Nomination of senior staff and board

The board, consisting of 13 members and serving in their personal capacity, include:
1) six members appointed by the Council for Human Rights,
2) two members appointed by the rector of the University of Copenhagen,
3) two members appointed by the rector of the University of Aarhus,
4) two members appointed by the Danish rectors’ conference,
5) one member selected by the staff of the Danish Institute for Human Rights.

The institute board appoint an institute director to be responsible for the daily management of the institute in substantial and professional matters. The management consists of the director, deputy director and the department directors.

Number of staff

100

Budget   

The DIHR is part of the Danish annual state budget, but is an independent national institution. The DIHR is governed by a center board, deciding on all essential matters relating to the administration and finance of the center. The daily management of finance and administration is carried out by a center director, to be appointed by the center board. The DIHR receives annually EUR 805,866.71 to cover the expenses due to the mandate on race and ethnicity.

Address      

Strandgade 56
DK-1401 København K
Denmark

Contact details     

(+45) 32 69 88 88
center@humanrights.dk
www.humanrights.dk