OHCHR | Home

COVID-19 on gender equality
Online content regulation
Human rights through sport and Olympic ideal
Civil society and racial justice
Stand Up for Human Rights

We must prioritize a gender-responsive recovery from COVID-19

“We must shift the recovery efforts now to stop setbacks in gender equality and to build more inclusive, just and prosperous societies,” said Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during a panel on gender-equal socioeconomic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic at the Human Rights Council.
More information All Stories

Moderating online content: fighting harm or silencing dissent?

As countries introduce new rules to regulate online content, UN Human Rights calls on governments and companies to anchor any such efforts in human rights.
More information All Stories

The transformative power of sport can unite us all

“The Olympic ideal is anchored in human rights: it embodies fairness, non-discrimination, respect and equal opportunities for all,” said Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at a high-level panel discussion on promoting human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal during the Human Rights Council.
More information All Stories

Anti-racism activists should be supported and protected- racial justice report

The groundswell of support across the world after the death of George Floyd in May 2020, and the continued activism of people of African descent, their communities, and others in standing up against racism across the world should be supported, says UN Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet, adding that their voices must be heard and protected.
More information All Stories

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.
More information All Stories

News

Choose the type of news you want

Myanmar: Call for Covid ceasefire Expert urges emergency “COVID ceasefire” in light of an explosion of cases, even as State Administrative Council escalates attacks against health care workers.

Palestinian elections Experts call on Palestinian Authority and Israel to take all steps to re-schedule Palestinian elections within a reasonably short timeframe and to ensure they are free, fair, democratic, peaceful and credible.

CAR UN expert calls for independent investigation and justice in killing of 13 civilians

Iran water protests Bachelet calls on the Iranian authorities to concentrate on taking urgent action to address the chronic water shortage in the province of Khuzestan, rather than using excessive force and widespread arrests to crush the protests about the situation.

Thai park ‘heritage’ status Experts urge UNESCO World Heritage Committee to defer Thailand’s bid to get heritage listing for Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, saying indigenous Karen living there are being subjected to rights violations.

Use of spyware Revelations regarding the apparent widespread use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists and others are extremely alarming

Cuba protests Bachelet calls for the prompt release of all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, or freedom of opinion and expression.

Belarus crackdown Bachelet calls again on the Belarus Government to stop intimidating and harassing human rights defenders and journalists in the wake of Wednesday’s raids and arrests by the security forces.

See All

Use of spyware Revelations regarding the apparent widespread use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists and others are extremely alarming

Eswatini unrest We are concerned at the potential for further unrest in Eswatini following recent protests. We urge accountability, and for the Government to open up a longer-term dialogue to air and address the public concerns.

Ramallah protests Bachelet urges Palestinian authorities to ensure the safety of protesters ahead of further demonstrations in Ramallah, following the violent suppression of protests by Palestinian security forces, both uniformed and plain-clothed, and other armed individuals.

Haiti: Prison conditions Report calls for urgent solutions to tackle inhumane and overcrowded prison conditions in Haiti, where prisoners often spend years subjected to ill-treatment and torture, many of them while still awaiting trial.

Mali violations Bachelet urges the Malian authorities to break the cycle of impunity and establish prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses, including those committed by the military.

Tigray killings The High Commissioner is outraged at the brutal murder of three Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) humanitarian workers in Tigray, Ethiopia. Humanitarian and human rights workers are civilians and as such can never be targeted. Perpetrators must be held accountable.

Canada Indigenous Peoples We welcome the adoption of a bill that affirms the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as applicable in Canadian law.

See All

Guatemala Indigenous human rights defenders must not be treated like criminals, say UN experts

CAR UN expert calls for independent investigation and justice in killing of 13 civilians

Mali UN expert to conduct human rights visit.

Venezuela Overly-strict application of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela endangers lives of cancer patients, say experts appointed by the Human Rights Council.

Mali slavery UN human rights experts criticize Mali for failing to prevent attacks on people regarded as slaves.

Myanmar Experts call for a stronger international response to military coup, including coordinated sanctions and an arms embargo against junta by an ‘emergency coalition of nations’

See All

Sierra Leone Sierra Leone’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Singapore Singapore’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review on 12 May

Secretary-General speech In a powerful speech to the Human Rights Council that focused on racism, women and the pandemic's impact on human rights, Antonio Guterres said "recovery gives us an opportunity to generate momentum for transformation"

Sao Tome and Principe Sao Tome and Principe’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review 22 January 2021

Nauru Nauru’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review 22 January 2021.

Georgia Georgia’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review 21 January 2021

Rwanda Rwanda’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Myanmar Myanmar’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

See All

Mauritius’ smart ID violates privacy Human Rights Committee has found that Mauritius violates its citizens’ privacy rights, as there are no sufficient guarantees that the fingerprints and other biometric data stored on the identity card will be securely protected.

Myanmar: Children under siege Children’s rights in Myanmar are facing an onslaught that risks leaving an entire generation damaged, the CRC has warned.

Committee against Torture to review Belgium CAT will hold its upcoming session from 12 to 30 July 2021 during which it will review Belgium.

Turkey: Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention Turkey’s decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention is deeply regrettable and should be reversed, CEDAW said.

Vaccination for people deprived of liberty SPT has called on States to ensure that people deprived of liberty are included in national vaccination programmes against COVID-19, and to continue efforts to tackle overcrowding in detention.

Torture Victims of torture and those who help them seek their rights must be protected by governments, say UN experts.

Human Rights Committee to review Togo Human Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session from 28 June to 23 July 2021 during which it will review Togo.

Iran: Child offender execution Experts urge Iran to halt execution of young Iranian man scheduled for 28 June, saying he was a child at time of crime, and was reportedly tortured to force confession of guilt.

See All

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

Choose the type of resource you want

Right to Food Speaking to a pre-Food Summit meeting of experts, the High Commissioner said human rights-based policies will be "crucial for a healthy environment and healthy nutrition – advancing both the right to food and the right to health".

Voices of African descent At an event alongside the General Assembly midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the High Commissioner honoured the courage and resilience demonstrated by people of African descent in their struggles for equality over many generations.

People of African descent At the General Assembly review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the High Commissioner emphasised the need for far stronger action to advance racial justice and equality in all fields of life.

Fighting impunity Fighting impunity effectively and consistently is “central to upholding human rights,” the High Commissioner stressed, noting that victims of violations have a right to truth, justice and redress. Speaking at the Annual Venice Conference on the Global State of Human Rights, she added that the rule of law is essential to ensuring sustainable and lasting peace.

Nelson Mandela Moot Court The High Commissioner spoke at the closing ceremony of the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court and thanked all participants for their “much needed interest and dedication to human rights.”

Rights in Africa Speaking to an event in Guinea to honour the influence of Hernan Santa Cruz, the High Commissioner said the synergy of human rights "can help to unlock the transformation of African economies" and sound recovery from the pandemic.

Systemic racism The High Commissioner presented her Office's report on the the human rights of Africans and of people of African descent and excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers. The report presents recommendations for ways to "achieve transformative change and end profound injustices, inflicted for generations."

Ukraine The Deputy High Commissioner presented to the Human Rights Council two reports on Ukraine, both based on the work of the Office’s Human Rights Monitoring Mission the country. The first is on “Arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment in the context of armed conflict in eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2021” and the other on the “Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine”.

See All Speeches

The UN Human Rights Appeal 2021

The UN Human Rights Appeal 2021

Standing up for your rights

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

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

See All Publications

Human Rights Council / 48th Session From: 13-09-2021
To: 08-10-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 39th Session From: 01-11-2021
To: 12-11-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

See All Events

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.

See All Databases