The Board of Trustees of the National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), chaired by H.E. Maqsoud Kruse, held its sixth and conclusive meeting of the year 2022. The meeting was held over two days on 13-14 December with participation of government representatives.

The agenda included a number of items, such as, approving the annual budget for the year 2023 and recruitement plans based on the approved organizational structure for 2023. NHRI seeks to attract high caliber candidates from various disciplines and expertise to advance the institution’s goals on human rights.

The Board of Trustees discussed the institution’s strategic plan project for 2023-2025, the participation of NHRI in its capacity as an observer in the Universal Periodic Review process for the year 2023. Also, the members reflected on lessons learned based on the past year’s engagements with international organization representatives and experts through joint workshops as they explored ways to benefit from best practices and incorporating international standards in complaince with Paris principles and mandates regulating national human rights institutions.

Furthermore, the Board of Trustees reviewed the structural goals and administrative readiness as well as the final developments on the inauguration of NHRI’s headquarters located in Abu Dhabi.

The meeting included the participation of representatives of the five government entities, which are the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation, and the Ministry of Community Development, whereby the Board of Trustees reviewed the initiatives and efforts undertaken by these entities in all human rights files. NHRI aims to establish solid coordination mechanisms between government entities and the six permanent committees to focus on relevant human rights issues.

The "National Human Rights Institution" was established in 2021 as per the Federal Law No. (12) as an independent institution and enjoys financial and administrative independence and aims to protect and promote human rights in the United Arab Emirates by taking into account the UAE Constitution, mandates and other relevant international treaties. The institution works in compliance with the Paris Principles as it sets the basis for regulating the work of national human rights institutions approved by the United Nations.