OHCHR | Home

World Humanitarian Day
Indigenous Women
Human Rights Summer School
World Scout Jamboree
Stand up for human rights

A tribute to humanitarians who have lost their lives in serving people across the world

We mourn the deaths of the selfless humanitarians and human rights defenders who have been killed in their service to save lives and ensure respect for human rights
More information All Stories

Indigenous women balance identity, gender and politics when in power

For indigenous women, positions of political power are about balance – how to balance being a woman, being indigenous and being a representative of a larger community. In a recent meeting at the United Nations in Geneva, seven former and current politicians, all indigenous women, shared how they not only maintained the balance, but thrived because of it.
More information All Stories

Summer School Programme in Russia focuses on SDGs and human rights

Students in the Human Rights Summer School programme in Russia say that States achieving the SDGs will guarantee them a bright future. They learn why promoting human rights is crucial in leaving no one behind.
More information All Stories

More than 40,000 Scouts learn to Stand Up for Human Rights

More than 40,000 scouts from across the globe gathered to promote peace, mutual understanding and learn about the sustainable development goals, during the 24th World Scout Jamboree in West Virginia, USA.
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

Sri Lanka army chief We are seriously concerned that Sri Lanka has appointed as army commander a military officer who has been heavily implicated in alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Myanmar experts call for justice for sexual assault victims Report finds Rohingya victims of brutal sexual violence remain without justice, as military continues its use in Kachin and Shan states.

Kashmir comms shutdown Experts call on Government of India to end crackdown on freedom of expression, access to information and peaceful protests imposed in Indian-Administered Kashmir.

Stop religious violence States must do more to stop hate crimes and promote interfaith initiatives, including religious tolerance and cultural diversity, say UN rights experts.

Rights to healthy environment New agreement between UN Environment Programme and UN Human Rights strengthens cooperation and prioritizes efforts to promote and protect environmental and human rights.

Zimbabwe protests We are deeply concerned by the socio-economic crisis that continues to unfold in Zimbabwe. We urge the Government to find ways to engage with protestors, and to refrain from the use of violence.

Terrorism: Victims’ rights A UN rights expert is urging Governments to step up efforts to implement the rights of victims in a statement marking the UN day paying tribute to victims.

Mali peace call The Independent Expert on human rights in Mali, Alioune Tine, says reconciliation moves by traditional and religious leaders and civil society members must be supported.

See All

Hong Kong The High Commissioner is concerned by the ongoing events in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the escalation of violence in recent days. She urges restraint, investigations and meaningful dialogue

Sanctions on Venezuela Michelle Bachelet deeply worried about the potential impact of unilateral sanctions on the human rights of the people of Venezuela

Casualties in Yemen Series of attacks in Yemen have had serious impact on civilians across the country.

Concerns about excessive use of force by the Israeli Security Forces We call on the Israeli authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting of nine-year-old Palestinian child, Abdul Rahman Shteiwi

We strongly condemn the execution of two Bahraini citizens The executions went ahead despite allegations that the men’s “confessions” were obtained through torture

See All

Kashmir comms shutdown Experts call on Government of India to end crackdown on freedom of expression, access to information and peaceful protests imposed in Indian-Administered Kashmir.

Stop religious violence States must do more to stop hate crimes and promote interfaith initiatives, including religious tolerance and cultural diversity, say UN rights experts.

Terrorism: Victims’ rights A UN rights expert is urging Governments to step up efforts to implement the rights of victims in a statement marking the UN day paying tribute to victims.

Mali peace call The Independent Expert on human rights in Mali, Alioune Tine, says reconciliation moves by traditional and religious leaders and civil society members must be supported.

Nigeria execution rights UN expert on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions, Agnes Callamard, will visit Nigeria from 19 August to 2 September 2019.

Iran: Veil protesters UN experts condemn prison sentences against three Iranian women arbitrarily detained for protesting against the compulsory wearing of veils.

Honduras: Business & rights The UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights will visit Honduras from 19 to 28 August to examine the human rights impacts of business activities.

Honduras UN rights expert Diego García-Sayán will visit Honduras from 16-22 August 2019 to assess moves to guarantee judicial independence.

See All

Myanmar Experts expose military business ties, call for sanctions Report maps degree to which Myanmar’s military has used its own businesses, foreign companies and arms deals to support brutal operations against ethnic groups constituting serious crimes under international law.

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.

See All

Paraguay: human rights violations UN experts say Paraguay must thoroughly investigate fumigations with agrochemicals and make full reparation to the victims

UN Committee Against Torture publishes findings Experts reviewed Bangladesh, Greece, Poland and Togo

Mexico disappearances UN experts say Mexican authorities responsible for disappearances linked to organized crime

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to meet Czechia, El Salvador, Iceland, Mexico, Mongolia, Poland, and the State of Palestine to be reviewed.

Human Rights Committee publishes findings Experts reviewed the human rights situation in Equatorial Guinea, Mauritania, Netherlands, Nigeria, Paraguay, and Tajikistan.

Women’s Rights Committee publishes findings Human rights experts reviewed Austria, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guyana, Mozambique, and Qatar

Committee Against Torture to meet Bangladesh, Greece, Poland, and Togo to be reviewed by human rights experts

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

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

In remembrance Ceremony in memory of colleagues killed in Baghdad 16 years ago, and many others who have lost their lives serving human rights

World Humanitarian Day We mourn the deaths of the selfless humanitarians and human rights defenders who have been killed in their service to save lives and ensure respect for human rights

Sanctions on Venezuela Michelle Bachelet deeply worried about the potential impact of unilateral sanctions on the human rights of the people of Venezuela

Climate emergency We must gather support for immediate and far-reaching action by States and businesses. The international community has an obligation to stop the climate crisis

After Brazil murder, Bachelet urges protection of Wajãpi people Brazil’s proposal to open areas of Amazon to mining could lead to further intimidation and killings of indigenous peoples.

Human rights of deaf people The use of sign language is a cultural right of Deaf people – and is essential to preserve and foster community.

Scouts working for human rights Young people like 16 year-olds Greta Thunberg and Nayeli Quiroz demonstrate that youth activism can make a difference

Human Rights and HIV/AIDS At a conference on HIV Science, the High Commissioner noted that future HIV vaccines and clinical cures will have important impacts on human rights.

See All Speeches

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

See All Publications

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination / 99th Session From: 05-08-2019
To: 29-08-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Human Rights Council – Organizational meeting for 42nd session From: 26-08-2019
To: 26-08-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVIII

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities / 22nd Session From: 26-08-2019
To: 20-09-2019
Palais des nations Room XVII

Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families / 31st Session From: 02-09-2019
To: 11-09-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Committee on the Rights of Child / 82nd Session From: 09-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Human Rights Council / 42nd Session From: 09-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances / 119th Session From: 16-09-2019
To: 20-09-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Pre-sessional Working Group / 12th Session From: 23-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais des Nations XVII

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