ENNHRI welcomes the European Commission’s consultation on the European Internal Security Strategy. In its new submission responding to this, ENNHRI stresses that security and fundamental rights are interdependent. It urges the inclusion of EU Treaty values— fundamental rights, democracy, and rule of law — in the Strategy. ENNHRI also highlights the role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in facilitating a human rights-based approach to security, while identifying areas for cooperation to foster peaceful, just, and inclusive societies.
A human rights-based approach to security and the role of NHRIs in supporting it
In the submission, ENNHRI highlights the importance of a human rights-based approach to security – one anchored in the EU treaty values of fundamental rights, democracy and the rule of law. An approach that integrates these strengthens public trust, social cohesion, and institutional accountability, ultimately making societies more resilient to security threats.
As independent state bodies with a comprehensive human rights mandate, NHRIs are uniquely positioned to support such a line of action. NHRIs act as key safeguards for democracy, promoting a human rights-based approach to security, and ensuring that measures taken do not erode fundamental rights and the rule of law.
United under ENNHRI, which connects 49 institutions across Europe, NHRIs bring reliable information from the ground and provide evidence-based recommendations to policies and action plans to ensure a human rights-based approach and resilience of European societies to security threats.
Key security challenges faced by Europe and how NHRIs address those
In its 2024 report on the rule of law in the EU, ENNHRI outlined impacts of securitisation on migration, counterterrorism measures, and other policies which risk eroding fundamental rights, the rule of law, and social cohesion.
When security measures prioritise short-term containment over sustainable and rights-based solutions, they can deepen divisions and undermine trust in democratic institutions, ultimately making societies less secure and resilient. Through monitoring, advising, and engaging with policymakers, NHRIs help ensure that security measures are proportionate, transparent, and accountable and contribute to upholding fundamental rights, the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions.
In the context of the war against Ukraine, the work of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights shows the importance of maintaining and investing in respect for human rights, democracy and rule of law, including in times of active armed conflict. The impacts of the war against Ukraine have been transpiring across Europe, and NHRIs have addressed emerging challenges, including through cooperation under ENNHRI’s umbrella.
Further, NHRIs contribute to ensuring that counter-terrorism measures and law enforcement actions align with human rights, thereby reinforcing public trust, supporting societal cohesion and institutional accountability.
NHRIs help ensure that border management policies comply with fundamental rights. This strengthens security and addresses the risk of human rights violations, especially against migrant groups in vulnerable situations.
NHRIs also address potential risks of the use of new technologies by raising awareness of society about the human rights challenges related to those technologies, and by contributing to ensuring public oversight and accountability within the context of AI and digitalisation.
Securing rights and funding for a resilient future
ENNHRI recognises that strengthened security efforts will imply that greater budgets are devoted to security in the coming months and years. At the same time, ENNHRI highlights the importance to ringfence and maintain dedicated funding for upholding the EU values that the security framework would be in place to protect. This includes in view of the ongoing work on the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework to shape an effective and strategic EU budget.
ENNHRI stands ready to further support the European Commission and EU agencies in advancing a security strategy that places EU Treaty values at its centre reinforcing trust, resilience, and the rule of law across Europe.
Read and download the full submission here.
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