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The International Institute for Human Rights Studies was founded in Trieste in 1980 following a decision taken at a UNESCO congress with the support of the Council of Europe and the European Commission.

It is directed by a Scientific Committee made up of academics from all over the world, including Japan, the United States and Europe. The Committee’s first President was member of the French Academy Professor René Jean Dupuy, who after his death was succeeded by former UN Secretary-General Boutros Boutros-Ghali. The President of the Institute was Professor Guido Gerin. Now is Prof. Maurizio Maresca.
The Institute carries out research into the application of fundamental rights and freedoms and the implementation of the rights laid down by conventions in the international courts delegated to that task. After the publication of a book on genetic modifications, the Institute established an International Centre for studies on bioethics. In this field it has enjoyed the collaboration of Nobel Prizewinner John Eccles and is currently working with another Nobel Prizewinner, Jean Dausset. Besides organising congresses, seminars and round tables, the Institute publishes a specialised series of notebooks, which has reached a current total of 34 volumes.

The Institute has been recognised as a consultative body by UNESCO and the Council of Europe and is also a member of Higher Scientific Institutions of the European Academy of Sciences.