Human Rights at the Core
Across the globe, inequalities rooted in socio-economic status, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability continue to deny people their fundamental rights. At NIRAS, we believe that tackling inequality requires more than policy reform – it demands transformative change driven by a Human Rights-Based Approaches (HRBA) that puts people at the centre of development.
Across more than 119 Gender and Human Rights projects in the past decade, we have worked with governments, civil society, and communities worldwide to:
- Advance equality through HRBA,
- Strengthen institutions and empower marginalised groups,
- Challenge harmful norms and safeguard against exploitation,
- Promote diversity and inclusion through practical, transformative change.
Our experts apply internationally recognised human rights standards, international humanitarian law, and nexus approaches that connect humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts.
Our mission is simple but urgent: to build a world where dignity, equality, and human rights are not aspirations but lived realities.
Our HRBA ensures that every intervention is guided by the principles of:
Non-discrimination
Safeguarding rights for all, especially the most marginalised
Accountability
Holding governments and institutions responsible
Participation
Ensuring people are not only heard but also empowered
Equality
Building fair systems that open opportunities to everyone
By embedding these principles, we promote inclusion, strengthen communities, and challenge the power structures that perpetuate injustice. Our experts bring decades of experience applying international human rights standards, international humanitarian law, and humanitarian–development–peace nexus approaches in fragile and complex contexts.
Human rights are not abstract ideals – they are the foundation of sustainable, inclusive societies.
Fulfilment of human rights: our approach
At NIRAS, we pride ourselves on our extensive experience in human rights and our commitment to integrating these principles into all aspects of our work. Our staff are experts in using the following approaches, which complement our commitment to HRBA: We ensure that our development programmes focus on capacitating the marginalised and excluded groups, emphasising participation and fulfilling accountability and non-discrimination.
- NIRAS’ Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI): EDI is integrated in all our projects and at the workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. The company’s EDI strategy is guided by its commitment to human rights, the UN Global Compact, the Diversity Pledge and the Women’s Empowerment Principles. NIRAS has set a five-year EDI framework, supported by a global policy, an international reference group and a team of internal champions to drive progress and share good practices across its offices.
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace (HDP) Nexus: We integrate the HDP nexus approach, focusing on collaboration and integration of humanitarian, development and peace building efforts in crisis, post-crisis situations and fragile states. This ensures a comprehensive response to complex challenges, fostering sustainable development and peace.
- Natural Rights and Legal Approaches: We recognise the inherent and universal nature of human rights, while also adhering to legal frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to protect these rights.
- International Humanitarian Law (IHL): We adhere to IHL principles, which aim to limit the effects of armed conflict by protecting those not participating in hostilities and regulating the means and methods of warfare and fragility.
- Risk Management Frameworks: We have significant experience in the development of risk management frameworks. We understand the importance of identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks to ensure the success and sustainability of rights we fulfil in our projects. Our risk management frameworks are tailored to address the unique human rights challenges of each project, unveiling opportunities, incorporating best practices, and international standards to safeguard against potential threats to human rights and programming.
- Human Rights-Focussed Education: We use education as a powerful tool to promote human rights by implementing inclusive, human rights-focussed education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programmes. These initiatives aim to ensure that marginalised groups, especially girls and women, are not left behind.
- Media Self-Regulation: At NIRAS, we actively protect freedom of expression and support media self-regulation through legal safeguards, independent oversight and ethical journalism practices. We advocate for free speech, resist censorship and work to ensure journalists can operate without fear of threats or retaliation. Through self-regulatory frameworks, such as press councils and ethical guidelines, we promote responsible reporting while maintaining independence from external influence.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): We design CSR programmes that respect labour rights, environmental sustainability and anti-corruption measures. Conduct human rights impact assessments in business operations and ensure fair wages, safe working conditions and no child or forced labour in supply chains.
- Ensure Digital Rights and Privacy: Ensuring digital rights and privacy requires strong data protection policies, secure technology and user transparency. At NIRAS, we implement encryption, ethical AI and clear consent mechanisms while educating individuals on cybersecurity best practices. We also use accountability through governance, independent oversight and compliance monitoring, which are essential to upholding privacy and prevent data misuse.
- International Monitoring and Enforcement: We have extensive experience in international monitoring and enforcement to protect human rights. To date, NIRAS has completed over 1,000 monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) assignments worldwide, providing actionable insights to support scaled positive impacts for people and the planet. Our expertise spans various sectors, including governance and democracy, civil society support, gender and human rights and peace and security. NIRAS employs a mixed-methods approach in MEL, combining quantitative and qualitative data sources. We utilise cutting-edge data analytics and digital technology, ensuring context sensitive and action-oriented MEL processes. We have high ethical standards and employ a utilisation focussed approach.
