Unia was officially recognised as a National Human Rights Institution, status B by the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI), which is supported by the United Nations.

Unia is also a member of the European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) and the European Network of Equality Bodies (EQUINET).

In 2011, Unia was designated as an independent mechanism for the implementation, protection and monitoring of the application of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities adopted by the United Nations in 2006. The aim of this Convention is to help all people living with disabilities to participate – on an equal footing – in political, economic, social and cultural life. It is now a part of the Belgian regulations on a par with other treaties, the Constitution and all laws.