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Report: More than 300,000 confirmed killed in decade of Syrian conflict

A report compiled by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has confirmed that 350,209 individuals have been killed during the conflict in Syria between 2011-2021. "Behind each recorded death was a human being," said Michelle Bachelet. "We must always make victims' stories visible...because injustice and horror of each of these deaths should compel us to action."
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Pioneering document on fighting racism, discrimination and intolerances turns 20

As the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) turns 20, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet urged States to work harder to eliminate racial discrimination and intolerance. "It is vital that we rise above past controversies and come together to combat racism and related discrimination in the world today."
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COVID-19 presents case for renewed multilateralism, says expert’s report

A UN expert’s report presented to the Human Rights Council demonstrates that the COVID-19 pandemic can be an opportunity for "strengthened, more effective and inclusive multilateralism."
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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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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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World Tourism Day Children must be protected from exploitation as tourism picks up following the COVID-19 pandemic, UN experts say.

Italy UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights will undertake its first official country visit to Italy from 27 September to 6 October.

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.

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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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CESCR to review Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bolivia and Nicaragua Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights will hold its upcoming session to review Kuwait, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bolivia and Nicaragua.

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

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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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Comprehensive justice for Syria The High Commissioner spoke at an event discussing justice for human rights violations in Syria. Only comprehensive justice, she said "can give Syria a fair chance at a future of durable peace."

Belarus The human rights situation in Belarus continues to deteriorate, the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council, noting her "deep concern" over increasingly severe restrictions on civic space and fundamental freedoms, and criminal prosecutions of human rights activists and journalists on apparently politically motivated charges. Continuing reports of widespread torture in detention include allegations of gender-based violence.

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.

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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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Anti-discrimination Database

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