Human Rights, Innovation, and Democracy Council

The Human Rights, Innovation, and Democracy Council was active during the 2018-2022 term in Reykjavík. The decision to merge the Human Rights Council and the Governance and Democracy Council was taken at the meeting of the Reykjavík City Council on June 19, 2018. The new council is called the Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council. The resolution for the new council was completed in City Council on November 6, 2018. At the Reykjavík City Council meeting on June 21, 2022, a Human Rights and Violence Prevention Council was established to take over part of the Council's tasks, and a new Digital Council was created to undertake other tasks.

The Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council acts under the authority of City Council as detailed in the Resolution on the Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council, the Resolution on the Management and of Reykjavík City and City Council Minutes, No 1020/2019 and as required by law.

The Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council develops human rights, governance and democracy policies, takes decisions and makes recommendations to the City Council in its field of work. The Council also oversees the operation of the Reykjavík Human Rights and Democracy Office and ensures compliance with Reykjavík City resolutions and policies in its field of work. The Council also carries out other tasks as determined by the City Council.

The Human Rights, Innovation, and Democracy Council carries out the tasks of the Equal Rights Committee pursuant to Act No 10/2008 and other human rights projects in line with the City of Reykjavík's Human Rights Policy, thus helping to improve the human rights of the City’s residents. The Council also handles tasks related to democracy, consultation, and residents' participation, and oversees the organization of Reykjavík City's governance system. The Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council is also tasked with increasing transparency in the City's administration and making services to the City's residents more effective, meaningful and visible. Furthermore, the Human Rights, Innovation, and Democracy Council promotes the efficient use of information technology for the City's policy making.

The Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council carries out, among other things, the following tasks:

a. Advises City Executive Council and other City authorities on matters related to human rights, government reforms, democratic issues, information technology, and services and is accountable for promoting the City of Reykjavík's Human Rights Policy, as well as fostering the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge and information.

b. Makes recommendations to City Council on Reykjavík City’s Human Rights Policy and is responsible for its implementation. Additionally, it proposes initiatives concerning participatory democracy, government reforms, transparency in administration, consultation and resident participation, service-related projects, service organization, service delivery, and digital service projects.

c. Is the City’s representative in the field of human rights. Is available to other City authorities for consultation and advice on human rights projects. Provides reviews of suggestions for other City authorities' programs related to the human rights of the City's residents. Initiates cooperation with the Government, other municipalities, and NGOs on human rights issues and awards the City of Reykjavík's annual Human Rights Prize.

The Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council has 7 representatives elected by City Council and an equal number of alternate members. City Council elects a chair who shall be a City Councilor. The term of office of the Council is the same as that of City Council.

The Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council generally holds two sessions each month, on the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

The Human Rights and Democracy Office is responsible for the implementation of human rights policies, the Council's tasks and relations with other institutions.

Elísabet Pétursdóttir, Project Manager in the Human Rights & Democracy Office, is employed by the Council.

Here you can find all the minutes of the Human Rights, Innovation and Democracy Council.