Rooted in civil society, EMHRN seeks to develop and strengthen partnerships between NGOs in the EuroMed 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 believed that they could make a positive impact on the human rights situation by creating a civil society network, linking up the Barcelona Process to Human Rights NGOs operating in the region.

 

In December 1997, a constitutive assembly established EMHRN as genuine north-south network. The first Executive Committee composed of members from north and south Mediterranean  countries, in equal measure, adopted EMHRN first statutes and action plan.

 

In 2000, a new action plan was adopted and the Network multiplied its activities . 2004 saw the establishment of the Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Protection of Human Rights (EMHRF) which was set up to assist human rights defenders with flexible, small-scale grants. It also saw the adoption of Gender Mainstreaming as a comprehensive strategy to advance gender equality, to be implemented in all EMHRN structures and activities. Since then, EMHRN has regularly conducted gender audits (gender audit 2008, gender audit 2012 and gender audit 2015).

 

Following the “Arab uprisings” in 2011, a new strategic plan was adopted, including a Policy Paper on Gender Equality highlighting the issue of gender equality in the global fight for human rights and to promote the adoption of measures supporting women’s rights and gender equality.

 

The General Assembly elected Michel Tubiana, Honorary President of the French Human Rights League as its new president. EMHRN was one of the first international organisations to officially establish an office in Tunisia following the ousting of Ben Ali. Now a Maghreb Office, the ambition is to assist members and emerging civil society develop their work in a new Tunisia and elswhere in the Maghreb. Thus, EMHRN has become a key partner for civil society capacity building across the country, facilitating dialogue between local civil society, government institutions. Having established its credibility on both sides of the Mediterranean, EMHRN is now widely recognised as a key organisation for civil society and decision-makers alike.