Our networks

NGO Forum for Human Rights

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee is the secretariat of the NGO Forum for Human Rights, a network of 42 Norwegian organizations working to promote human rights. 

The purpose is to influence authorities, both in Norway and internationally, to prioritize the creation and establishment of fundamental and comprehensive policies aimed towards the strengthening of human rights. Much of the work of the NGO forum is directed at international organizations and fora, such as the UN Human Rights Council, UN Convention Bodies, the Council of Europe and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). 

International Panel of Parliaments for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB)   

We host the secretariat for the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief (IPPFoRB). This is a global network of around 250 parliamentarians and legislators, working towards the promotion and protection of religious freedom for all. 

The network builds the capacity, enables and strengthens parliamentarians and other elected legislators to protect and promote this fundamental right. 

Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) has defined the states’ obligations in terms of human rights, including the Helsinki Declaration, Copenhagen Document and the Paris Charter for a New Europe. The NHC is the monitoring body responsible for ensuring that states follow up on their obligations. 

OSCE has field operations in East and Southeast Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia and several independent institutions, such as the Parliamentary Assembly, the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, the Free Media Representative and the High Commissioner for National Minorities.   

The International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)

We are among the 180-member organizations of FIDH, which has played an important role in the preparation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948), the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC, 1998/2002) and in the fight against impunity for torture and other international nuclear crimes. 

Headquarters are located in Paris, but the organization also has field offices in a number of countries and lobby offices in New York and Brussels. 

Between 1945 and 2000, FIDH expanded its business, especially within the United Nations. The fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War marked a new start in the development of national human rights organizations worldwide. FIDH supported this through co-operation programs in Eastern Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, the Middle East and Latin America. 

Civic Solidarity Platform   

We are a part of the Civic Solidarity Platform, a coalition of 90 human rights organizations from Europe, Eurasia and the United States. It is a meeting place where civil activists can build alliances, show solidarity and make joint outbursts and reports.  

The platform was established on the understanding that in order to counteract negative trends, associated with a state’s respect for human rights and democracy, organizations must work in an effective and co-ordinated manner. A number of working groups have developed out of the CSP coalition, focusing on torture, racism, discrimination against women and strengthening international institutions.  

The Coalition of the International Criminal Court (CICC)   

CICC is a global network of over 2500 organizations from 150 countries. The organization was established in 1995 and played an important role in the establishment of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The Rome Statue was adopted in 1998 and in 2002, the work on establishing the court began. Located in The Hague, the ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community.   

The Norwegian Helsinki Committee has collaborated with CICC in organizing courses, promoting ICC investigations in Georgia and Ukraine and promoting a well-functioning system of states and international institutions that fight impunity for aggression, genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.   

EuroMed Rights

The Helsinki Committee is an associated member of EuroMed Rights. EuroMed seeks to develop and strengthen partnerships between NGOs in the Euro-Mediterranean region, advocate for human rights values and develop capacities in this regard.  

Following the launch of the Barcelona process in 1995, a group of human rights activists from both sides of the Mediterranean began to work to improve the human rights situation by creating a civil society network.  

The EuroMed network currently has offices in Copenhagen, Brussels, Paris and Tunis.