Opening the General Assembly of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) at the United Nations Palace in Geneva, Ms. Bouayach, Chairperson of the National Human Rights Council (CNDH), affirmed: “Our role is vital and pivotal.”

She underscored the strategic importance of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) within the international system, particularly in a context marked by multiple conflicts and an unprecedented erosion of rights across several regions.

According to Ms. Bouayach, NHRIs serve as a critical bridge between national realities and the international arena. They bring concrete, on-the-ground challenges to the attention of the United Nations and other global mechanisms, while also reinforcing the implementation and impact of international human rights protections at the domestic level.
 

She further emphasized that the credibility of the multilateral system rests not only on strong international bodies, but also on independent, effective NHRIs, which should operate in full compliance with the Paris Principles and be able to carry out their mandates freely and without interference.

Ms. Bouayach also pointed to the diversity of experiences and practices among NHRIs as a major asset. “This diversity fosters the exchange of expertise and strengthens collective action,” she explained.

The CNDH Chairperson also stressed that the scale and complexity of current global challenges make it imperative to deepen solidarity among NHRIs and to sustain coordinated efforts to protect and promote human rights in a rapidly evolving international environment.