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“We won’t give up or stop reporting until we have a real democracy”

“They’re doing everything they can to stop information flowing to the Myanmar people and the rest of the world,” says Thar Lun Zaung Htet, a journalist who has fled his country in fear for his life. On World Press Freedom Day, Thar Lun, and thousands of other journalists around the globe, continue to face grave danger.
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"The silencing of a journalist is a loss to society as a whole."

Attacks on journalists "impoverish public debate and hamper our ability to respond effectively to societal challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic," High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day. In order to "fully celebrate the bravery of journalists in their determination to keep the public informed, we must demand that their rights are respected, protected and fulfilled."
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Mongolia: New law to protect human rights defenders

Mongolia has recently adopted a new law for human rights defenders, the first of its kind in Asia. Paving the way for other countries in the region, the milestone law aims to protect and encourage their critical voices and actions.
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COVID-19 and longstanding gender and racial discrimination in the Americas

“Exclusionary policies, rather than inclusive ones, have been tolerated in the region for generations,” the High Commissioner told Oxford University students during a lecture on discrimination in the Americas. Focusing on gender and racial discrimination, she stressed that the brunt of both the health and the socio-economic crises brought by COVID-19 “is being borne by those who have not reaped the development benefits experienced by many countries in the region.”
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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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USA: Anti-protest laws At least 93 anti-protest bills aimed at suppressing racial justice protests and the Black Lives Matter movement have been introduced in 35 states since May 2020

El Salvador: Democracy at risk Bachelet warns the dismissal of Constitutional Chamber and Attorney General did not meet the required due process standards and it seriously undermines the rule of law.

Bahrain prison repression We call on the Government to launch a thorough investigation into the violent repression of a sit-in at Jau prison and to provide information on the well-being of the 33 prisoners currently held in incommunicado detention.

Chad protests We are deeply disturbed by the disproportionate use of force by defence and security forces in the context of protests in Chad, where six people were reportedly killed and several wounded. At this delicate period for the country, we stress the crucial importance of putting human rights first to ensure a return to civilian rule and constitutional order.

Swiss girls at Syria camp Experts call on Switzerland to repatriate two girls held in Syria after they were allegedly abducted by their mother five years ago when she went to join Islamic State fighters.

Experts urges decisive, unified action Military junta in Myanmar is illegal, illegitimate and responsible for widespread and systematic human rights violations against nonviolent, peaceful protesters, and should be held accountable, says expert.

George Floyd verdict Bachelet welcomes verdict in George Floyd murder trial, says case has revealed how much remains to be done to reverse the tide of systemic racism that permeates the lives of people of African descent.

Call for Navalny medivac Experts express alarm at deteriorating health situation of detained Russian Government critic Alexei Navalny, and call for his urgent medical evacuation from Russia.

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Colombia – Cali protests and killings We are deeply alarmed at developments in the city of Cali in Colombia overnight, where police opened fire on demonstrators protesting against tax reforms, reportedly killing and injuring a number of people.

Myanmar: Military slaughter must stop Bachelet urges States to take immediate, decisive and impactful measures to push Myanmar’s military leadership into halting its campaign of repression and slaughter of its people.

UK New Bill Bachelet expresses concern new Bill could lead to shielding military personnel operating abroad from due accountability for acts of torture or other serious international crimes.

Tribute to Christof Heyns Christof Heyns, who has died aged 62, was an inspiring human rights advocate, whose warmth, optimism and generosity equalled his expertise. He cared for all people – those he worked with and those he worked to support and protect. We will miss him terribly.

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El Salvador UN expert condemns dismissals of top judges and Attorney General

USA: Anti-protest laws At least 93 anti-protest bills aimed at suppressing racial justice protests and the Black Lives Matter movement have been introduced in 35 states since May 2020

Iran Experts express concern over condition of imprisoned Iranian filmmaker and political activist Mohammad Nourizad and call for his immediate release.

Poverty in Europe UN expert calls for an ambitious social Europe, says COVID must spark rethink

Nigeria Experts call on Nigerian authorities to comply with High Court decision to release prominent humanist and rights defender Mubarak Bala on bail

Azerbaijan Experts urge immediate release of infirm inmate Huseyn Abdullayev, a vocal opponent of the Government of Azerbaijan, who has been granted asylum in Germany on political grounds.

Nepal Experts expressed concern for independence of NHRC after appointment of new members that they regard as being inconsistent with international standards

Minorities: Americas forum The Americas Regional Forum on conflict prevention and the protection of the human rights of minorities in the region will take place on 27 and 28 April.

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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

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

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

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CERD issues findings on Belgium CERD’s Concluding Observations on Belgium are now available online

UN Committee on Migrant Workers issues findings on Chile CMW has issued its findings on Chile, which it examined during its latest session.

CERD to review Belgium Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will hold its upcoming session from 19 to 30 April, during which it will review Belgium.

UN Disability Rights Committee issues findings on Estonia CRPD has published its findings on Estonia which it examined during its latest session

Human Rights Committee issues findings on Finland and Kenya The UN Human Rights Committee has issued its findings on Finland and Kenya which it examined during the latest online session

CED to review Switzerland, Colombia and Mongolia CED will hold its upcoming session from 12 April to 7 May, including to review country reports of Switzerland, Colombia and Mongolia.

Libya: violated activist's rights Libya violated the human rights of an activist working on women’s rights by failing to investigate and prosecute her unlawful arrest and torture by a militia group affiliated with the government

CEDAW issues findings on Denmark CEDAW has published its findings on Denmark, including the self-governing territories of Greenland and the Faroe Islands, which it examined during its latest online session.

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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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Human Rights and the Security Council The High Commissioner spoke to the Institute of International and European Affairs on the role of the UN Security Council on protecting global human rights. She highlighted three areas: leadership, accountability and prevention. The High Commissioner also stressed the impact of COVID-19 on human rights.

Europe Social Summit At a seminar to prepare the European Union Social Summit this week, the High Commissioner issued pointed and detailed recommendations for fulfillment of economic and social rights, in the context of the pandemic and beyond

World Press Freedom Day Attacks on journalists “impoverish public debate and hamper our ability to respond effectively to societal challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said in a statement marking World Press Freedom Day.

SDG 16 The need to transform governance has been among the major lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, the High Commissioner told the High Level Political Forum, outlining some of the ways Sustainable Development Goal 16 can guide that work.

Christof Heyns At a memorial event for human rights expert Christof Heyns, the High Commissioner paid tribute to "an inspirational, ingenious and committed human rights advocate; a generous and enthusiastic educator; a fearless investigator; a scholar of exceptional clarity; and a force for tremendous good"

Discrimination in the Americas COVID-19 and longstanding gender and racial discrimination in the Americas

Food systems “Our aim is to ensure health and human rights go hand in hand,” the High Commissioner told Member States in a briefing about the upcoming Food Systems Summit. She also stressed the impact of COVID-19 on food security.

Racism in Europe Securing the equality and genuine inclusion of Roma, people of African descent, Jews, Muslims and others will require action on structural issues, including racial profiling and socioeconomic disparities, as well as reparatory justice, the High Commissioner told an EU conference

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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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Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 38th Session From: 03-05-2021
To: 14-05-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the Right to Development / 21st Session From: 17-05-2021
To: 21-05-2021
V

Human Rights Council / 47th Session From: 21-06-2021
To: 15-07-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

Human Rights Council / 48th Session From: 13-09-2021
To: 01-10-2021
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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