Become a member
Who can become a member?
According to Articles 6 and 7 of the SHRI Articles, “Individuals and legal entities who engage in work to protect and promote human rights and endorse the objective set out in Article 2 may become members”. Individuals or legal entities wishing to join the SHRI must submit a written application, upon which the Members' General Meeting votes on admission.
After formal verification and based on the recommendations of the Committee, applications are put to the vote at the annual Members' General Meeting.
Being a member of the SHRI does not constitute certification of respect for human rights. Joining the SHRI simply attests to a commitment to the topic and/or knowledge of the field.
How to become a member?
Complete the application for membership below, indicating whether you wish to join the SMRI as a natural or legal person. Briefly explain your connection (or that of your organization) to the protection and promotion of human rights. If you have any questions, please send an e-mail to mitglied@isdh.ch.
The SHRI Committee will examine your application. You will receive a confirmation email if it has been approved. As an applicant member, you will receive the same updates as current members about SHRI activities, an invitation to the Members' General Meeting, etc.
On the occasion of the following members’ assembly, the Committee will present your application and submit it to the members for a vote. If you are unable to attend the members’ assembly in question, we will inform you of the outcome of the vote in the following days.
To remain a member, you must pay your membership fee every year (see rates below). Membership fees must be paid before the next Members' General Meeting.
Annual membership fee
The annual membership fee is CHF 100 for individuals and CHF 250 for legal entities. For individuals with limited financial means, the annual fee is 30 CHF. For public utility organizations with very limited budgets, it is 100 CHF.
You will receive an invoice by email a few weeks after each Members' General Meeting.
Application form
Other membership FAQs
As a member, you play an active role in the development of the SHRI. You can vote at the Members' General Meeting on the Institution’s general strategic directions. You receive regular updates about its activities. You also have access to a vast national network of human rights actors in Switzerland.
The SHRI sees its members as both a network and a resource: a diverse make-up is synonymous with a strong foundation within society. That is why its members are very important to the SHRI. It listens to them and, whenever possible, responds to their concerns and suggestions.
The SHRI has 248 members as of 2026 : 170 individuals and 78 legal entities.
The SHRI Committee examines applications four times a year. At the respective time, you will receive a confirmation email if your application has been approved and recommended by the Committee. As an applicant member, you will receive the same updates as current members about SHRI activities, an invitation to the Members' General Meeting, etc.
The Committee will submit your application to the next Members' General Meeting (usually held in May). It will be put to the vote of the members.
If you are unable to attend the Members' General Meeting, we will let you know the outcome of the vote shortly afterwards. At the same time, you will receive the invoice to pay your membership fee.
All individuals and organisations, businesses, associations, etc. that work to defend and promote human rights in Switzerland are eligible. This commitment may concern general human rights or specific human rights (such as those relating to migration, gender equality, etc.).
A commitment to a part of the population is not a problem in any way. However, the SHRI requires its members to share the conviction that human rights are universal in their scope and that all human beings have the same rights.
No. The SHRI does not certify that its members fully respect human rights or act in an exemplary manner. Likewise, the SHRI does not necessarily share the positions of all its members. Being a member simply means that individuals or organisations have an interest in, commitment to and/or specific knowledge of human rights in Switzerland.
No. Only certain members of the Secretariat and of the Committee are empowered to speak on behalf of the SHRI, including on social media. The positions of members do not necessarily reflect those of the SHRI.
However, members are encouraged to relay the messages of the SHRI, especially those shared via the newsletter or the website.
The money received from membership fees is not allocated to a specific purpose. Through their membership fees, members support the mission of the SHRI, that of helping to protect and promote human rights in Switzerland.
The SHRI Articles do not provide for appeals against the decisions of the Members' General Meeting. However, the SHRI has shown flexibility in the interpretation of the admission criteria for its members. So far, the vast majority of membership applications has been accepted.