Membership

Become a member of the ISHR

ISHR membership is obtained through membership in a national section. Separation from a national section terminates membership in the Society. Payment of a member fee is an obligation to the relevant national section.

In countries in which no national section exists, membership can be obtained through the International Secretariat (Individual Membership) if an ISHR group or a section cannot be established in the country for political reasons. Individual members automatically become members of the national formations as soon as they are established according to the relevant national law.

Become an ISHR national section or group

Step one: Form a group of several individuals interested in human rights

Step two: Prepare and send the following contact details to the ISHR International Secretariat:

  • Name of group
  • Primary contact person
  • Working address, telephone, fax, e-mail
  • Statutes (based on the statutes of the ISHR but adapted if necessary)
  • An annual activity report (deadline September 30th)
  • A list of board members

Step three: The International Secretariat will present the above information to the International Council during its annual meeting. If possible, a representative of the organisation should be present, so additional questions can be answered, and to give the representative an opportunity to meet the International Council in person. The International Council will then discuss the application and votes on whether or not to accept it. If accepted, the organisation becomes a national group. If not accepted, the organisation may re-apply the following year.

Step four: Having successfully operated for at least two years, the national groups may apply for the status of national section. During this period, the national group should prepare and send the following to the International Secretariat on an annual basis:

  • Contact details
  • Name of group
  • Primary contact person
  • Working address, telephone, fax, e-mail
  • Statutes (based on the Statutes of the ISHR but adapted if necessary)
  • An annual activity report (deadline September 30th)
  • A list of board members
  • Official registration as national group (if applicable).

Step five: The International Secretariat will present the above details at the annual meeting of the International Council. If possible, a representative of the national group should also be present, so that additional questions can be answered and to give the representative an opportunity to meet with the International Council in person. The International Council will discuss the application and vote on whether or not to accept it. If accepted, the national group becomes a national section. If not accepted, the national group may re-apply the following year.

Role of national sections and national groups
Both national sections and national groups are ISHR representatives in their respective countries. Representatives of both national sections and groups may actively contribute to the International Council Meeting. However, only representatives of national sections may vote.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the ISHR or have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us under:

International Society for Human Rights (ISHR)

c/o PIRON Global Development
Reuterstrasse 116
D – 53129 Bonn/ Germany

Phone: +49 228 3042 6360
Email Secretariat: secretariat@ishr.org