IHRN Participants

National academies and scholarly societies are in a unique position to help address pressing human rights concerns, particularly those related to science, health, and technology. Collaboration and information sharing through the IHRN can be a powerful and effective tool in advancing respect for human rights. Through their collective and individual efforts, participants have helped to gain the freedom of their imprisoned colleagues, advanced rights-based and sustainable solutions to societal challenges, and supported the independence of sister academies throughout the world. 

While their is no formal membership, national academies and scholarly societies with an interest in human rights are invited to participate in the IHRN, such as by sending a representative to an IHRN meeting or sharing information about their human rights-related activities for potential inclusion in the IHRN bulletin. Since its founding, more than 90 academies have participated in IHRN activities.

Participants also invited to intervene, in the name of their institutions, on cases and issues brought to their attention by the IHRN secretariat through action alerts. These alerts often involve colleagues who are held without trial, are at risk of torture, or have been given harsh sentences in connection with their professional work or the exercise of internationally protected human rights. Many are confined under deplorable conditions, often in solitary confinement. Some have been tortured, most have been mistreated, and many are in poor health. All IHRN participants are encouraged to keep the secretariat informed of their advocacy efforts in support of IHRN case colleagues, and any subsequent results, and to refer potentially relevant cases and human rights issues to the IHRN's secretariat for investigation and possible action. The IHRN secretariat also prepares petitions for imprisoned colleagues that are submitted to UNESCO's Committee on Conventions and Recommendations by selected academies and individuals. The IHRN occasionally sends observers to the trial of a colleague(s).

Institutions participating in the IHRN have full autonomy and act at their own discretion. Academies and scholarly societies interested in learning more about the IHRN should contact the IHRN's Executive Director, Rebecca Everly via the Contact Form.