Human Rights Monitoring Institute

Human Rights Monitoring Institute seeks to promote the development of an open democratic society based on human rights principles.

The Human Rights Monitoring Institute (HRMI) is a non-governmental organization based in Lithuania. It was founded in 2003 with the mission to promote an open democratic society through the consolidation of human rights and freedoms.

The strategic goals of the Institute are:

• to develop the capacity of the civil society to follow and influence the governmental human rights policy and practice;
• encourage Lithuanians to exercise their rights and, in certain cases, to assist in defending those rights;
• develop a culture respectful of human rights in Lithuania by:
  • raising awareness of human rights violations, their causes and consequences,
  • stimulating public discussions and dialogue between civil society and state institutions concerning human rights,
  • motivating state institutions and officials to bring about tangible improvements in legislation, programmes and services, intended to ensure and consolidate the protection of human dignity and human rights and
  • increasing governmental accountability in policies and practices affecting human rights.

HRMI conducts daily monitoring of public institutions’ activities, publicly reacts to human rights abuses or potential violations, caries out research, prepares conclusions and recommendations, initiates strategic litigation, presents alternatives reports to international human rights institutions, implements awareness-raising and educational campaigns.

HRMI is a member of the EU Fundamental Rights Platform, which is a network of NGO cooperation under the auspices of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency, and UNITED - network of European NGOs against nationalism, racism, and fascism.

HRMI Board and staff members have been working in numerous national and international human rights bodies, such as UN Committee on the Rights of the Child (HRMI Chair of the Board - member) and National Judicial Selection Committee (HRMI Executive Director - member), and serve as experts for the Council of Europe, OSCE and other international intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations.