Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights
Budget
€2,040,193
EP Access
0
accredited persons
Staff
7
3.25 FTE
EU Grants
€295,387
Mission & Goals
HFHR was founded in 1989, and its creation was preceded by the activity of the underground Helsinki Committee in Poland set up in 1982. Currently, HFHR is one of the most experienced and professionally active non-governmental organizations engaged in the field of human rights in Europe. HFHR’s mission includes promotion of human rights as the foundation of a democratic state and acting in order to improve the standards of human rights protection. HFHR’s activity consists of monitoring, education (both at the national and international level) and activity in the public interest (including legal programmes providing legal aid and conducting strategic litigation). Since 2007, the HFHR has held a consultancy status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
EU Legislative Interests
Within its activity in international research and monitoring networks, HFHR closely follows EU legislation which involves human rights protection. This activity embraces mainly research and monitoring of implementation of certain pieces of EU’s legislation regarding human rights. HFHR monitors legal and policy changes by publishing comprehensive reports on changes in the situation of the judiciary, as well as monitoring court cases of street protesters charged with criminal offences. HFHR remains also a - a leading advocate of the rule of law and human rights in Poland and in the international arena (EU, Council of Europe, USA and UN) and a leading litigator before the ECtHR in cases concerning the independence of courts in Poland (acting as amicus curiae). As part of the FRANET network, in recent years HFHR has carried out numerous research concerning fundamental rights protection and implementation of EU law in Poland.
Communication Activities
Within the scope of their works, HFHR's experts participate in public discussion concerning the legal and policy changes key from the perspective of human rights, democracy and rule of law. HFHR experts participate in public hearings in the Polish Parliament and the European Union Parliament, academic discussions and conferences. HFHR experts also participate in the meetings with the representatives of the European Commission.
Interests Represented
Does not represent commercial interests
Member Of
Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights is a member of international and national networks and platforms of cooperation acting for human rights protection including among others: Human Rights House Network –international coalition consisting of non-governmental organizations from Norway, the United Kingdom, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Kenya and Uganda, among other countries. European Council on Refugees and Exiles – pan-European alliance of 90 NGOs protecting and advancing the rights of refugees, asylum seekers and displaced persons. Our mission is to promote the establishment of fair and humane European asylum policies and practices in accordance with international human rights law. FRANET – Fundamental Rights Agency’s multidisciplinary research network. Within this network HFHR’s experts prepare reports on human rights protection in Poland,
Organisation Members
HFHR is a member of several networks and working groups. The list of the networks is available at: http://hfhr.pl/o-nas/sieci-wspolpracy
Additional Information
The current financial year: 2024. The HFHR budget is calculate in PLN. The EUR-PLN conversion currency rate used for the budget information was 1 EUR = 4.25 PLN
Commissioner Meetings
No recorded meetings with EU commissioners.