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Human Rights Day 2020- Recover Better
Berkeley Protocol
Child marriage
Human rights defenders and COVID-19
Human Rights Day 2020

Human rights at the heart of the recovery

On Human Rights Day this year, let us stand up together to demand a new social contract anchored in the realization of all human rights for everyone. To recover better, let us stand up for human rights.
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Berkeley Protocol gives guidance on using public digital info to fight for human rights

The first international protocol on using social media as evidence of human rights violations, launches today. The Berkeley Protocol – a joint publication of the UN Human Rights Office and UC Berkeley’s Human Rights Centre -- offers global guidance on using public digital information.
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Malawi: one woman’s fight against child marriage

Memory Banda is a 23 year-old activist, whose voice helped introduce a law in Malawi to end child marriages. She is now fighting to make sure it is enforced.
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Role of human rights defenders in COVID-19 recovery crucial

The critical role of human rights defenders in holding businesses accountable for rights violations amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and in its aftermath was discussed at last week’s Business and Human Rights Forum.
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Human Rights Day 2020 - Recover Better

On Human Rights Day, 10 December, join us in reaffirming the importance of placing human rights at the heart of the recovery to build back the world we want.
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News

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Indonesian Papua We are disturbed by escalating violence in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua and the increased risk of renewed tension and violence.

Trinidad and Tobago Deeply concerned by Trinidad and Tobago's decision to deport 16 Venezuelan children and 9 adults while an application was being lodged against their removal, we urge the authorities to safeguard refugee & migrant children's rights regardless of their status.

Racial profiling CERD published its guidance to combat racial profiling emphasizing the serious risk of algorithmic bias when AI is used in law enforcement

Egypt Human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in Egypt after meeting foreign diplomats must be released, say UN experts.

Iran execution Experts alarmed by reports that Iranian-Swedish academic Ahmadreza Djalali faces execution despite widely held findings his trial was grossly unfair and he was tortured.

Cambodia mass trial Expert expresses serious concerns about imminent mass trial of individuals associated with disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Conflict in Ethiopia Bachelet urges the parties to the conflict in Tigray to give clear and unambiguous orders to their forces to take constant care to spare civilians

Brazil Racism The killing of an Afro-descendent beaten to death by two private security guards is an extreme but sadly all too common example of the violence suffered by Black people in Brazil

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Indonesian Papua We are disturbed by escalating violence in the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua and the increased risk of renewed tension and violence.

Conflict in Ethiopia Bachelet urges the parties to the conflict in Tigray to give clear and unambiguous orders to their forces to take constant care to spare civilians

Syria: Violations and abuses Disturbing reports of executions following the detentions and so-called trials by the de facto authorities in Idlib.

Egypt civic space The arrest of three human rights defenders in Egypt underscores the extreme vulnerability of civil society activists in the country.

Iraq executions Following reports of 21 executions in Iraq, Bachelet is deeply concerned that hundreds more prisoners may be at imminent risk.

Belarus detentions We remain deeply concerned at the situation in Belarus more than three months on from the disputed presidential election, as the Government continues to wield the machinery of the State to commit human rights violations.

Tigray conflict Bachelet expresses increasing alarm at the deteriorating situation in the Ethiopian region of Tigray.

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Mongolia Mongolian parliament should pass ground-breaking law to protect people who stand up for human rights, says UN expert.

Disabilities Day As the world looks beyond COVID-19, experts urge States to ensure that people with disabilities are fully included in “building back better” process.

Egypt Human rights defenders arbitrarily detained in Egypt after meeting foreign diplomats must be released, say UN experts.

Cambodia mass trial Expert expresses serious concerns about imminent mass trial of individuals associated with disbanded Cambodia National Rescue Party.

Iran execution Experts alarmed by reports that Iranian-Swedish academic Ahmadreza Djalali faces execution despite widely held findings his trial was grossly unfair and he was tortured.

Iraq: stop mass executions Experts express alarm at reports that some 50 prisoners convicted of terrorism-related crimes in Iraq face execution on Monday.

Mexico Authorities must make sure police protect, not attack, women who peacefully demonstrate against violence, say UN experts.

West Bank demolitions Experts condemn demolition by Israel of homes and property belonging to Palestinian Bedouin community, amid a significant rise in demolitions across the occupied territory.

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

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

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

United States United States’ human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review on 9 November

Marshall Islands Marshall Island’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

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

Summary of the 45th session of the Council The Council concluded its forty-fifth regular session after adopting 35 resolutions, one Presidential Statement and one decision

Council adopts 6 more resolutions The Council adopted 6 resolutions dealing, among others, with human rights of women and girls, child rights, the prevention of human rights violations, and the Philippines

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Iraq: Enforced Disappearances CED has issued its findings on Iraq, calling on the State party to incorporate the offence of enforced disappearances into domestic criminal legislation, and to ensure no person is held in secret detention.

Racial profiling CERD published its guidance to combat racial profiling emphasizing the serious risk of algorithmic bias when AI is used in law enforcement

Trafficking in women and girls Women’s rights committee published recommendations to eliminate trafficking of women and girls in the digital age, highlighting the increasing use of social media to recruit trafficking victims during COVID-19

Saudi Arabia rights defenders The UN women’s rights committee called for the immediate release of Loujain Al-Hathloul in Saudi Arabia and all other women human rights defenders in detention.

Spain: Age assessment procedures Spain’s procedures to determine the age of unaccompanied migrant children violated their fundamental human rights, UN child rights committee has found.

Migrant workers: Safe and dignified return CMW calls for immediate action to address the inhumane conditions of migrant workers who are stranded in detention camps and ensure they can have a safe and dignified return to their home countries.

Enforced disappearance: New date for online dialogue with Iraq The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances has rescheduled its public dialogue with Iraq on how the country is addressing the issue of enforced disappearances.

Spain violates inclusive education right Spain violated the right to inclusive education of a child with Down syndrome who was sent to a special education centre by national authorities, despite his parents’ objections, CRPD has found.

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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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Berkeley Protocol "Technology can help us see the distant, the obscured and the unimaginable -- and serve as concrete proof of violations of human rights and international law," the High Commissioner said in a video message for the launch of the Berkeley Protocol on Digital Open Source Investigations.

Human Rights in Latin America The High Commissioner spoke about human rights and women's leadership in Latin America in the context of COVID-19 in an event organized by Georgetown University. She emphasized that human rightd are the way out of the current crisis and "into the world we want"

Climate and children Today's children – and future generations – have a right to thrive in a greener world, the High Commissioner pointed out. And global recognition of the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment could drive stronger policies to protect them

Minorities and COVID In an important speech, the High Commissioner pointed out that due to discrimination, racial minorities and indigenous peoples communities have been over-exposed, under-protected – and disproportionately harmed

Amazon defender The High Commissioner hailed the award of the Edelstam Prize to Brazilian human rights defender Osvalinda Marcelino Alves Pereira

Women and conflict COVID-19 may increase the already high risks of gender-based violence in conflict settings – including sexual violence, child marriage and sexual exploitation. It also prevents many victims from accessing justice and protection

Afghanistan In a major address prior to the opening of the Afghanistan Pledging Conference in Geneva, High Commissioner Bachelet outlined six points to enable parties to the peace negotiations to devise a lasting peace for all in Afghanistan

Domestic violence The risk of violence against women and girls, as well as LGBTI members of the family, is growing as the pandemic gathers pace, the High Commissioner warned – while protective services are falling away.

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The UN Human Rights Appeal 2020

The UN Human Rights Appeal 2020

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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Committee against Torture / 70th Session From: 09-11-2020
To: 04-12-2020
PW 1st floor

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination / 102nd Session From: 16-11-2020
To: 04-12-2020
PW Ground Floor

Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent / 27th Session From: 30-11-2020
To: 04-12-2020
Ariana 2

Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples / 13th Session From: 30-11-2020
To: 04-12-2020
XX

Human Rights Council - Oral Update on Belarus From: 04-12-2020
To: 04-12-2020

Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Trust Fund on Contemporary Forms of Slavery / 34th Session From: 07-12-2020
To: 11-12-2020
XXII

Human Rights Council – Organizational session for the 15th cycle From: 07-12-2020
To: 07-12-2020
XX

Human Rights Council - Presentation of Report on Ukraine From: 18-12-2020
To: 18-12-2020

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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

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.

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