Estonian Human Rights Centre

Estonian Human Rights Centre (EHRC) is an independent human rights advocacy NGO dedicated to the advancement of protection of human rights in Estonia and abroad. The centre was founded in December 2009.

EHRC has quickly developed to be the  most well-known human rights NGO in Estonia. EHRC currently employs 12 persons in full-time or part-time basis and is regularly consulted by stakeholders, such as government, other NGOs or the media.

EHRC develops its activities according to thematic programmes depending on needs of the society. These thematic programmes currently are:

• Equal treatment and non-discrimination programme, advocating for betterment of Estonian equal  treatment laws and practice, including lobbying and engaging in strategic litigation;
• Refugee programme, including legal clinic providing legal aid and representation in court during asylum proceedings with the aim of improving the procedures for asylum seekers as well as participating in and initiating topical public debates as a tool of advocacy.
• Monitoring the situation of human rights in Estonia – eg. publication of annual human rights report on Estonia, which is a useful tool for advocacy. Studies on specific topics of fundamental rights (such as homophobia, child trafficking, data protection, racial discrimination, return of irregular immigrants) for the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.