Multi-level human rights actors

The theoretical and practical dimensions of the multi-level governance approach are increasingly viewed as a suitable framework for analysing and assessing human rights policies and institutions. In the European context, in particular, non-state political actors such as cities and local governments, civil society organisations, networks and movements are emerging as relevant players in many human rights related areas: migration, refugees, gender issues, anti-discrimination, safe environment, and so forth. Their agendas integrate, supplement and sometimes substitute state policies and appear to be inspired and expressly linked to the international commitments, norms and regimes. International law of human rights is apparently a cross-cutting source of legitimacy and inspiration. The paper aims at identifying and analysing measures that actually or potentially help link local non-state actors with the international and supranational levels of governance in promoting and fulfilling fundamental rights. A special focus is placed on two enablers: the international organisations' bodies with an explicit human rights mandates (within the UN, the CoE, OSCE, etc.), namely the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the networks of national human rights institutions/structures. The paper argues that an investment on such institutions is likely to be beneficial to the renewal or fresh establishment of democratic institutions at all levels.