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Afghanistan: Bachelet urges Taliban to take immediate human rights steps

At a special session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner said inclusive dialogue and action to uphold women's rights – specifically, girls' right to education – will be essential to building confidence
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Civil society report on Kosovo* delivers a united voice on human rights

A coalition of non-governmental organisations, supported by UN Human Rights and the UN Mission in Kosovo, have again joined forces to produce the second annual report on the human rights situation in Kosovo.
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#WeThe15: A global human rights movement for the 1.2 billion persons with disabilities

Launching just ahead of the Paralympic Games in Tokyo, the global #WeThe15 campaign aims to end discrimination against people with disabilities.
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Remembering colleagues killed in the course of working for human rights

Protecting the rights of people means that we step up when there is danger, the High Commissioner told staff assembled in memory of fallen colleagues. "We honour their legacy by living up to their example and continuing their work"
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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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Libya Fact Finding Mission visits Libya The Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya visited Tripoli and had high-level talks with Libyan governmental and judicial authorities

Malawi death penalt Concerns over the Malawi Supreme Court of Appeal's decision allowing judges to resume imposing the death penalty.

Afghanistan situation We call on the international community to extend all possible support to those in Afghanistan who may be at imminent risk, and we call on the Taliban to demonstrate through their actions that the fears for the safety of so many people are addressed.

Trials of former Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón trials were arbitrary and failed to comply with principles of judicial independence and impartiality – Human Rights Committee

Afghanistan: cultural rights Expert urges States to provide urgent assistance to human rights defenders, including those working on women’s and cultural rights, as well as artists, trying to flee Afghanistan.

Bolivia dialogue We call for GIEI report documenting human rights violations in Bolivia’s 2019 post-electoral crisis to be used constructively to promote dialogue and reduce polarization and political tensions.

Disability rights On Thursday, the headquarters of the UN Human Rights Office, Palais Wilson in Geneva, will be lit up in purple - the international colour for disability - to mark the start of #WeThe15, a global, 10-year campaign to empower people with disabilities.

Afghanistan: Experts fear ‘slaughter’ Experts say they are outraged by wanton attacks on civilians, the targeting of independent journalists and media, and the violence being directed at women and girls

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Afghanistan conflict Bachelet urges parties to the conflict to stop fighting to prevent more bloodshed

Syria: Daraa civilians Escalation in hostilities between Government forces and armed groups in and around the southern city of Daraa underscores the ongoing plight of civilians, who are in effect under siege there.

Beirut blasts A year on from the devastating explosions in Beirut, Bachelet stresses the urgent need for the Lebanese Government to ensure a transparent, effective, thorough and impartial investigation into what happened and to hold those responsible accountable.

Torture in Iraq Bachelet states that implementation of laws are key to end torture in detention in Iraq

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.

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.

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Cambodia UN experts slam conviction of trade union leader and systematic crackdown on people who stand up for human rights.

Brazil UN expert calls on Brazil’s Supreme Court to uphold indigenous land rights by rejecting contentious Marco Temporal argument, which could legitimise violence against indigenous peoples and spark violence in Amazon.

Commemorating victims of acts of violence based on religion or belief Experts call on all societies to collectively reject hate and exclusion, and for an end to impunity for violent acts driven by religion or belief.

Biodiversity The 190 countries that meet later this year to approve a plan to ensure the future of life on Earth must put human rights at centre of efforts to preserve and protect nature, says UN expert.

Eritrea Experts demand release of journalist and human rights defender Dawit Isaak, imprisoned without trial in Eritrea since 2001, amid uncertainty about whether he is even still alive.

Police brutality Experts express alarm at "rampant police brutality against peaceful protesters worldwide" and warn States of grave danger arising from such abuse for human rights and rule of law.

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HRCAC concludes its 26th session The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee held its 26th session in a hybrid manner in Geneva, Switzerland, this week from 16 to 20 August.

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

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

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Enforced disappearances To mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, UN experts say it’s urgent to address economic, social and cultural rights of victims.

Trials of former Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón trials were arbitrary and failed to comply with principles of judicial independence and impartiality – Human Rights Committee

Disability Rights Committee to review France and Djibouti CRPD will review France and Djibouti during its latest session

Human Rights Committee’s findings on Togo Human Rights Committee has issued its findings on Togo, the State party which it examined during its latest session.

Committee Against Torture’s findings on Belgium CAT today issued its findings on Belgium, the State party which it examined during its latest session.

Belarus: Violates rights to freedom of expression The decision to cancel the licence of a Belarusian lawyer after he spoke to the media about the detention conditions of his client, an opposition presidential candidate, violated the lawyer’s rights, Human Rights Committee has found.

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.

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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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Afghanistan At a special session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner said inclusive dialogue and action to uphold women's rights – specifically, girls' right to education – will be essential to building confidence

Human rights education Speaking to members of a training course in human rights education, the High Commissioner pointed out that by fostering inclusion and participation, promoting solidarity and preventing violence and conflict, human rights education is "a powerful investment in building a just, peaceful and equitable future".

Memorial ceremony Protecting the rights of people means that we step up when there is danger, the High Commissioner told staff assembled in memory of fallen colleagues. "We honour their legacy by living up to their example and continuing their work"

LGBTI rights Addressing the Copenhagen Human Rights Forum, the High Commissioner reinstated her commitment to building a world where all LGBTI people are included, free and equal.

Rights of youth Speaking to the World Youth Rights Conference in Tashkent, the High Commissioner called on States to respond to COVID-19 by advancing resilient, inclusive, greener and more sustainable societies – "as young people across the world rightly demand".

Racial justice At an event in South Africa to mark the 20th anniversary of the Durban World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, the High Commissioner emphasised the role of young people in demanding – and building – equality.

How to recover Delivering a wide-ranging keynote to a European Commission summer course in democracy and rights, the High Commissioner called for strong efforts to embed long-term thinking in national and international governance.

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".

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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

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Organizational meeting for the 48th regular session of the Human Rights Council From: 30-08-2021
To: 30-08-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

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

Social Forum From: 11-10-2021
To: 12-10-2021
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

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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

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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

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Jurisprudence Database

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

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