The Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) was established as the Danish Centre for Human Rights by a parliamentary decision in 1987. In 2002, DIHR was established as a national human rights institution through an Act of Parliament. (Act No. 411 of 6 June 2002). Among the functions of the institute are to strengthen the collection, development and communication of knowledge about human rights in Denmark and Europe, and internationally. DIHR has been an active member and supporter of international cooperation among NHRIs for more than a decade.

DIHR has worked both with justice reform and legal empowerment methodologies since the mid-1990s. In 2010, these two approaches were combined int a single justice department. In the field of legal empowerment, DIHR has worked with partners to establish and strengthen legal aid networks to strengthen common approaches to training, case referrals, quality management, joint projects and advocacy platforms for access to justice and the role of paralegals.

DIHR encourages a networking and partnership approach both nationally and internationally on these issues. To this end it has facilitated and co-hosted conferences on legal service provision in Kyiv (2007) and Kigali (2009).

DIHR has also partnered with state institutions to improve case handling and remedies in the areas of civil and administrative justice.