The Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O'Flaherty, has written to the Speakers of the Senate of Italy, Ignazio La Russa and of the Chamber of Deputies of Italy, Lorenzo Fontana, calling for the urgent establishment of a National Human Rights Institution (NHRI) compliant with the so-called UN Paris Principles.

In his letter dated 20 February 2026, Commissioner O'Flaherty noted that Italy remains "one of few Council of Europe member states" without a NHRI. Despite repeated commitments made during Universal Periodic Reviews (in 2025, 2019, 2014 and 2010) and when presenting its candidacy for UN Human Rights Council membership, Italy has yet to establish such an institution.

The Commissioner identified two principal challenges affecting Italy's human rights protection architecture: the absence of a broadly mandated and fully independent NHRI, leaving many sectoral areas uncovered; and institutional frameworks for existing human rights bodies that may not always ensure their independence and effectiveness. In this regard, Commissioner O'Flaherty emphasised that an NHRI should have a broad mandate, guaranteed independence through transparent appointment procedures, and adequate resources to operate effectively. 

He welcomed the Italian Government's commitment to submit draft legislation to Parliament to transpose EU Directive 2024/1499 on standards for Equality Bodies, including the establishment of a new Equality Body, expected to become operational by January 2027. However, the Commissioner recalled that, due to its narrower mandate, an Equality Body cannot be considered as a Paris-Principles compliant NHRI.

In conclusion Commissioner O'Flaherty encouraged the Italian Parliament to adopt the necessary legislative measures to establish an NHRI and to ensure that principles of independence and effectiveness are applied to all sectoral human rights and equality bodies.

The Speaker of the Senate has replied to the Commissioner, informing him that his letter was transmitted to the relevant Senate Committees on Constitutional Affairs and Human Rights.