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Durban Declaration and Programme of Action
Youth protection
Human Rights Champion: Daniel Chirinos
Enforced disappearances
Stand Up for Human Rights

HC calls for reparations, racial justice and equality for people of African descent

The High Commissioner called on States to address the lasting consequences of colonialism and slavery through reparations. "Millions of people continue to bear the burden of the past and contemporary forms of racism and exclusion including historical denial of their humanity," she said in a statement during an event to mark the 20th Anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action.
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Protecting the voices of young human rights defenders

Young people who choose to challenge the status quo continue to face a wide array of threats, abuse and barriers in their activism. The first-ever global report on threats young people face in civic space is calling for greater protection for them.
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Fighting for LGBTQI+ rights in Honduras

After seeing so many friends die for being associated with the LGBTQI+ community in Honduras, Daniel Chirinos committed to defending LGBTQI+ rights as Chidanna, a transgender activist and drag queen.
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“We need your support, and hope to see our dreams coming true”

Amina Masood’s husband was forcibly disappeared in Pakistan in July 2005. Sixteen years later, she is still searching for answers.
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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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Myanmar crisis Urgent action is needed to prevent the situation in Myanmar from spiraling into a full-blown conflict warns a new report detailing widespread violations by the military against Myanmar’s people, some of which may constitute crimes against humanity or war crimes.

Myanmar: Change of course needed Expert says conditions in Myanmar following 1 February military coup have worsened and urged a “change of course” to avert further human rights abuses and deaths.

Yemen violations We are very concerned by the situation in Yemen where all parties to the conflict continue to engage in violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law with little regard for basic rule of law principles.

Tribute to John Ruggie It is difficult to overstate the impact of the work of John Ruggie, whose drive and commitment were central to the development of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and whose own life was devoted to making a difference to everyone’s lives.

Artificial intelligence Bachelet calls for a moratorium on the sale and use of artificial intelligence systems that pose a serious risk to our privacy and other human rights until safeguards are in place, including greater accountability and transparency in how AI systems collect, store and use data.

Afghanistan: Women’s rights Women’s full and equal participation in public and political life in Afghanistan is essential to addressing multiple crises confronting the country, experts say.

Turkey It's high time for Turkey to figure out who murdered two environmental human rights defenders four years ago, says UN expert, and determine whether illegal mine owners were involved.

Modern Slavery Governments could save more than 80 million people from the threat of modern slavery if they granted the world’s forcibly displaced people the right to work, says a UN expert.

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Afghanistan protests We call on the Taliban to immediately cease the use of force towards, and the arbitrary detention of, those exercising their right to peaceful assembly and the journalists covering the protests.

Tigray report Joint investigation team concludes its field work into allegations of human rights violations in Tigray with final report is to be published on 1 November 2021.

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.

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Food Summit concerns Experts concerned UN Food Systems Summit will not be a “people’s summit” as promised, and the most marginalized and vulnerable will be left behind.

Toxic waste Expert urges States to follow the science with respect to exposure to toxic substances, calling out companies that manipulate information to keep their products on the market.

Enforced disappearances UN experts today expressed alarm at an increase in cross-border covert raids by state security services to snatch people, who then are often are detained in secret and tortured.

Indonesia Indonesia must provide West Papuan human rights defender Victor Yeimo with proper medical care to keep him from dying in prison, expert says.

Turkey It's high time for Turkey to figure out who murdered two environmental human rights defenders four years ago, says UN expert, and determine whether illegal mine owners were involved.

Modern Slavery Governments could save more than 80 million people from the threat of modern slavery if they granted the world’s forcibly displaced people the right to work, says a UN expert.

Montenegro Montenegro must take bold steps to strengthen its child protection system to prevent and respond to sale and sexual exploitation of children more effectively, expert says.

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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

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CMW to review Rwanda and Azerbaijan Committee on Migrant Workers will hold its upcoming session to review Rwanda and Azerbaijan, and host an event to launch its guidance on migrants’ rights to liberty and freedom from arbitrary detention.

Disability rights in Djibouti and France UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has issued its findings on Djibouti and France.

CED to review Brazil, France, Panama and Spain Committee on Enforced Disappearances will hold its upcoming session to review Brazil, France Panama and Spain.

CRC to review Czech Republic, Poland, Eswatini and Switzerland CRC will hold its upcoming session from 6 to 24 September to review the Czech Republic, Poland, Eswatini and Switzerland.

Afghan authorities must prohibit torture UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture calls on Afghan authorities to prohibit torture in any circumstances

CERD’s country review: Lebanon and Netherlands The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued its findings on Lebanon and Netherlands.

Women and girls in Afghanistan Two UN committees call on the Taliban to honour their pledge to protect Afghan women and girls and respect their human rights

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.

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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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South Sudan High levels of localised violence in South Sudan – mainly attributable to community-based militia – threaten to further destabilise the country, the Deputy High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council.

Myanmar Noting "significant deterioration" in the human rights situation in Myanmar, the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council that Myanmar "faces a vortex of repression, violence and economic collapse" and "the alarming possibility of an escalating civil war"

Racism Calling on States to "rise above past controversies and come together to combat racism and related discrimination", the High Commissioner spoke to the urgency of acknowledgment and reparations for the continuing harms inflicted by historical discrimination

Afghan women Noting numerous setbacks in Afghanistan for women and girls, High Commissioner Bachelet urged all UN bodies and member States to commit to strong advocacy for a detailed list of women and girls' fundamental rights in every sphere of life.

Age discrimination The voices, perspectives, and expertise of older people need to be incorporated in policymaking, the High Commissioner said – urging "a human rights treaty specifically focused on the rights of older people.

Gender equality The High Commissioner spoke about the challenge of gender power imbalances to the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Women for Oncology Forum. “Addressing gender inequality in the health workforce must be a priority,” she stressed.

Peace and youth On the UN International Day of Peace, the High Commissioner spoke about working for "a world of justice – a world without war, and without poverty; a thriving planet; a world in which everyone can access information and speak their minds freely – a world of dignity and human rights"

Women in conflicts The High Commissioner presented to the Council her report concerning the mainstreaming of the human rights of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations.

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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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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

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Universal Periodic Review

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National Human Rights Institutions Website

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Universal Human Rights Index

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Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Database

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Anti-discrimination Database

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Human Rights Education and Training Database

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Jurisprudence Database

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