Icelandic Human Rights Centre

Description

The Icelandic Human Rights Centre, known formally as Mannréttindastofnun Íslands, is an independent human rights institution in Iceland. It operates on behalf of the Althing, the Icelandic parliament, and began its work on May 1, 2025. It follows the United Nations Paris Principles, which guarantee the independence and neutrality of national human rights institutions worldwide.

Its main task is to promote and protect human rights in Iceland as set out in the constitution, national law and the international agreements Iceland has joined. It works to make sure both public authorities and private parties respect human rights across society. Advice and information from the centre are free of charge for anyone who asks.

The centre does not rule on individual cases or handle complaints as a court would. Instead it offers guidance and advice on matters that touch on human rights. Enquiries from individuals can alert the centre to problems and lead it to look into an issue or refer it to the right authority. It also runs a dedicated rights-monitoring service for people with disabilities.