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Local governments for human rights
Right to mental health
Venezuela speech
Women and climate change
Stand up for human rights

Local governments unite to defend and promote human rights

A first time consultation in Geneva, Switzerland brought together local governments from around the world and UN Human Rights to discuss the growing human rights challenges in cities, especially in the face of massive and rapid urbanisation.
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A rights environment for the highest standard of mental health

UN expert on the right to health, Dainius Pūras, says that good mental health must be defined by the creation of environments where people can live their lives in dignity in the equitable pursuit of their full potential.
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Venezuela: High Commissioner Bachelet calls for dialogue and change

Briefing the Human Rights Council, she outlines the "dramatic impact" of the crisis on fundamental rights
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Climate change: highlighting the need for gender-specific action

Climate change has specific adverse impacts on women and girls – but women also have much to contribute to climate action.
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Stand up for human rights

Join us in promoting and defending human rights for everyone, everywhere. Stand up for human rights and take action for stronger respect, greater freedom and more compassion.
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News

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Yemen death sentences UN Human Rights office alarmed by the imposition of death sentence on 30 men by de facto authorities in Sana’a, mostly academics, students and politicians critical of the Houthis.

OPT: Annexation concern Expert voices concern about lack of human rights accountability in Occupied Palestinian Territory, pointing to actions of “an occupying power seemingly bent on further territorial annexation”.

USA: Detention of migrants As a paediatrician, a mother and a former head of State, High Commissioner Bachelet is deeply shocked that migrant children are forced to sleep on the floor in overcrowded facilities, without access to adequate healthcare or food.

Kashmir report UN human rights report says neither India nor Pakistan have taken any concrete steps to address the numerous concerns raised in the previous report.

Venezuela report UN human rights report urges the Government of Venezuela to take immediate measures to halt the grave violations of economic, social, civil and political rights documented in the country.

Iran: Detainees’ health concerns Experts say they are frustrated to still receive reports of continued denial of medical treatment and urge the government to immediately provide appropriate healthcare.

Sudan: Protest casualties Bachelet urges Sudanese authorities to launch proper investigations into allegations of excessive use of force.

Libyan detention centre attack Bachelet shocked by the number of migrants and refugees left dead and injured after detention centre hit by airstrike.

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Venezuela - End of mission Ending the first-ever visit by a UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to Venezuela, Michelle Bachelet left a team of two staff to advise on, assist with, and monitor the rights situation in the country.

Canada: “ A welcome ally” Canada is a leader in promoting the international human rights agenda and the benefits of the rules-based international order, said the High Commissioner as she ended a two-day visit to the country.

Egypt: Death in custody Circumstances of death of former president Mohammed Morsi must be investigated, says UN Human Rights spokesperson.

Bachelet to visit Venezuela UN Human Rights Chief is due to visit Venezuela at the invitation of the Government from 19 to 21 June.

Botswana: LGBT decision Bachelet welcomes the decision by the High Court of Botswana to decriminalize consensual same-sex relations between adults by striking down relevant provisions of the country’s Penal Code.

Nicaragua: concerns about amnesty law Bachelet alerts against a law in Nicaragua that could prevent accountability for human rights abuses

Libya: Inhuman detention facilities We are deeply concerned about the ghastly conditions for migrants and refugees detained in Libya, and ongoing disappearances and human trafficking following interception at sea by the Libyan Coast Guard.

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Sri Lanka Expert will assess rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association during a visit to the country from 18 to 26 July.

South Korea Expert on right to privacy will visit Republic of Korea from 15 to 26 July.

Freedom of Expression UN expert calls for robust response to main challenges to freedom of expression for the next decade.

Hungary Special Rapporteur on human rights of migrants will visit Hungary from 10 to 17 July 2019.

Sudan Experts denounce measures taken by the authorities to shut down Internet in Sudan, saying it stifles free expression and association.

Morocco Expert says the country’s international human rights law commitments and laudable constitutional provisions would languish without Government implementation through a domestic legal and policy framework.

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HRC 41st session The United Nations Human Rights Council will hold its forty-first regular session from 24 June to 12 July 2019 in Geneva.

Council closes fortieth session The Council concluded its fortieth regular session.

Council closes fortieth session The Council adopted five resolutions in which it extended two mandates.

Human Rights Council extends mandates The Council adopted 12 resolutions in which it, among other actions, decided to extend mandates.

Human Rights Council adopts 12 resolutions The Council adopted 12 resolutions.

Debate on technical assistance and capacity building The Council held a debate on technical assistance and capacity building after hearing the presentation of reports on technical assistance.

High Commissioner and Secretary-General reports The Council heard the presentation of reports on country situations in Colombia, Cyprus, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, the situation of Rohingya in Myanmar, on Venezuela and Yemen.

Situation in the Central African Republic The Council held a high-level interactive dialogue on the evolution of the human rights situation in the Central African Republic.

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Treaty bodies Chairpersons’ meeting Measures were agreed aimed at strengthening and streamlining the protection of rights holders

Torture prevention country visits announced Subcommittee also expresses concerns regarding Brazil

Human Rights Committee to meet Human rights in Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Netherlands, Nigeria, Paraguay, and Tajikistan to be reviewed.

UN Women’s Rights Committee to meet Will review the situation for women’s rights in Austria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, DRC, Guyana, Mozambique, and Qatar

International Day in Support of Victims of Torture Human rights experts call for justice and rehabilitation for victims of torture.

Child Rights Committee publishes findings The situation for children’s rights in Botswana, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Malta, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Tonga was reviewed by human rights experts.

Arbitrary detention in Turkey Expert committee monitoring civil and political rights found Turkey violated human rights to a fair trial.

Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to visit Ghana Independent human rights experts will examine the treatment of people deprived of their liberty

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Our priorities

Enhancing equality and countering discrimination

Strengthening the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations

Advancing sustainable development through human rights

Enhancing participation and protecting civic space

Increasing implementation of the outcomes of the human rights mechanisms

Preventing violations and strengthening protection of human rights

Resources

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Update on Ukraine Upcoming parliamentary elections are an opportunity to prioritise human rights

Persecution of Rohingya Severe violations continue; National "Verification Cards" suggest the Rohingya are foreigners

Technical cooperation Demographic shifts make it urgent to invest in the rights and capabilities of older persons.

Georgia, Nicaragua In both regions, human rights access is important

Venezuela speech Briefing the Human Rights Council, she outlines the "dramatic impact" of the crisis on fundamental rights

Abolition of the death penalty “It is difficult to think of another human rights issue where progress has been so swift and so marked,” the High Commissioner said. “Universal abolition is achievable.”

Rights of older women Age discrimination and the consequences of life-long gender discrimination make older women vulnerable to isolation, poverty and abuse

Women and climate change Climate change has specific adverse impacts on women and girls – but women also have much to contribute to climate action.

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Standing up for your rights

A collection of 16 stories highlighting the impact of our work around the world

Annual appeal 2018

Annual appeal 2018

Protecting LBGTi people

Living Free and Equal: Tackling Violence and Discrimination against LGBTi People

Human rights info. for Parliamentarians

Human Rights: Handbook for Parliamentarians (co-published with IPU)

Traditional justice in Africa

Human Rights and Traditional Justice Systems in Africa

National mechanisms for reporting and follow-up

NMRF: A Practical Guide to Effective State Engagement with International Human Rights Mechanisms

Right to development

FAQs on the Right to Development

Human rights and government budgets

Realizing Human Rights through Government Budgets

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Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women / 73rd Session From: 01-07-2019
To: 19-07-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVI

Human Rights Committee / 126th Session From: 01-07-2019
To: 26-07-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples / 12th Session From: 15-07-2019
To: 19-07-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the use of mercenaries / 37th Session From: 15-07-2019
To: 19-07-2019
New York

Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council / 23rd Session From: 22-07-2019
To: 26-07-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Pre-sessional Working Group / 75th Session From: 22-07-2019
To: 26-07-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVI

Committee against Torture / 67th Session From: 22-07-2019
To: 09-08-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Working Group on Communications / 25th Session From: 29-07-2019
To: 02-08-2019
Palais des Nations Room XXVII

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UN Charter Body Database

Search for documents and information pertaining to UN Charter-based human rights bodies, including the Human Rights Council and Special Procedures.

Universal Periodic Review

Access information and documents about states that were part of the periodic review of the human rights. It includes documents submitted by countries themselves, UN agencies and external parties.

National Human Rights Institutions Website

Find information on National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and the International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions (ICC).

Universal Human Rights Index

Access country-specific human rights recommendations and information emanating from international human rights mechanisms in the UN system: the Treaty Bodies, the Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Database

Access translations of the UDHR, a milestone document in the history of human rights, into over 460 different languages and dialects.

Anti-discrimination Database

Search for information, policies and measures taken at the international, regional and national levels to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Human Rights Education and Training Database

Search worldwide for institutions, programmes and materials that aim to foster human rights education and training.

Jurisprudence Database

Access jurisprudence emanating from the United Nations Treaty Bodies that receive and consider complaints from individuals.

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