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Transitional justice
Hate speech in the Syrian media
Rebecca Kabuo, human rights defender
Rule of law
Stand Up for Human Rights

Justice for past crimes can build a shared future

The High Commissioner briefs the Security Council on experiences with transitional justice across the world
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Fighting hate speech and incitement to violence in the Syrian media

The prevalence of hate speech and incitement to violence in the Syrian media is driving societal divisions even deeper. A Syrian organisation promoting human rights and justice is working hard to address the issue. Yayha Fares is a Syrian refugee, in charge of the organisation’s hate speech project.
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LUCHA rights defender hopes her struggle can bring change in the DR Congo

Rebecca Kabuo is a member of LUCHA (Lutte pour le Changement), a non-violent, non-partisan youth movement that campaigns for good governance in the DR Congo. She wants a country where people have access to clean water, healthcare and security.
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Impartial, independent rule of law is vital to sound societies

The rule of law makes institutions accountable for upholding human rights and the fair delivery of public services. And it empowers all individuals – including those who suffer entrenched discrimination -- to claim their rights. But the independence and impartiality of the judiciary is coming under threat in many countries.
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Human Rights Day: Youth stand up for human rights

This year we celebrate the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future. Discover how young people are standing up for human rights and spread the word.
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News

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Syria: Inhumane attacks UN Human Rights chief expresses horror at the scale of the humanitarian crisis in northwest Syria, saying it is cruel beyond belief that civilians are being bombed.

Cameroon violence Shocking episode in the ongoing crisis in the country’s North-West and South-West regions left 23 people dead, the majority of them children.

Myanmar violence UN experts express concern over rise in violence in northwest Myanmar after internet shutdown.

North Korea disappearances On 50th anniversary of plane hijack by North Korea, UN experts urge repatriations of 11 abductees.

Iraq : Education report Report finds that children in Iraq still cannot access schools or obtain key civilian documentation necessary for enrolment in state schools, two years after the territorial defeat of ISIL.

Israel/OPT report UN Human Rights Office issues a report on business enterprises involved in certain activities relating to settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, in response to a specific request by the UN Human Rights Council.

Uganda agreement New agreement maintains OHCHR’s office in Uganda for the next three years – its activities will include advising the government on policies and strengthening human rights institutions.

Child rights UN child rights body issues its findings on the countries reviewed during its latest session: Austria, Belarus, Costa Rica, Hungary, Rwanda and State of Palestine.

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Promoting Freedoms and Protecting Activists on Social Media The High Commissioner recorded a video message to an international conference in Doha on “Social Media: Challenges and Ways to Promote Freedoms and Protect Activists”. She stressed the need to ensure that human rights norms guide how online space is regulated and managed.

Nicaragua attacks We are deeply concerned at the repeated attacks on indigenous people in Nicaragua, and urge the authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable and take steps to prevent further violence.

Iraq violence We are alarmed at the escalation in violence in the central Iraqi city of Najaf where supporters of Muqtada al-Sadr allegedly shot dead anti-Government demonstrators.

DRC: Bachelet end of mission We call on the Government and the international community to seize the opportunity that currently exists to lift the country out of its conflicts, human rights violations and socio-economic problems.

Libya airstrikes UN joint report calls for accountability for a deadly airstrike on a migrant detention centre last July, and says urgent steps are needed to prevent a similar tragedy.

Human Rights Day Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet

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Japan expert visit Japan has achieved remarkable progress in protecting rights of persons affected by leprosy and these efforts must continue, says UN expert.

Myanmar violence UN experts express concern over rise in violence in northwest Myanmar after internet shutdown.

Israeli settlements Expert says by engaging in trade and commerce with the Israeli settlements, the international community sustains their viability and undercuts its own pronouncements.

Iraq expert visit UN expert on internally displaced people will visit Iraq from 15 to 23 February

Mali expert visit UN expert on human rights will visit Mali from 17 to 21 February.

Central African Republic All stakeholders in Central African Republic must act to implement effectively the Khartoum peace agreement, says UN expert.

North Korea disappearances On 50th anniversary of plane hijack by North Korea, UN experts urge repatriations of 11 abductees.

Violence against women For effective peace building, States must address root causes of violence against women before, during, and after conflict, say experts.

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Human Rights Council forty-second regular session Human Rights Council to hold its forty-second regular session from 9 to 27 september 2019 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

2019 report of the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi The UN Commission of Inquiry on Burundi raises red flags at the serious human rights violations committed in the pre-electoral climate

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.

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.

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Child rights UN child rights body issues its findings on the countries reviewed during its latest session: Austria, Belarus, Costa Rica, Hungary, Rwanda and State of Palestine.

CESCR meeting UN committee on economic, social and cultural rights meets in Geneva 17 February to 6 March to review Belgium, Benin, Guinea, Norway, Ukraine.

CEDAW: Meeting in Geneva UN Women’s Rights Committee to meet in Genava from 10 to 28 February to review Afghanistan, Bulgaria, Eritrea, Kiribati, Latvia, Pakistan, Republic of Moldova, and Zimbabwe.

Pacific: Child rights UN committee will travel to Samoa in March to hear directly from government delegations, NGOs and others, including children, about child rights in the Pacific region.

Human Rights and climate change UN Human Rights Committee says countries may not deport individuals who face climate change-induced conditions that violate the right to life.

Child Rights Committee UN Child Rights Committee meeting in Geneva to review Austria, Belarus, Costa Rica, Hungary, Rwanda and State of Palestine

Women’s Rights Statement Statement by the Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Women’s Rights Convention on Wednesday.

Torture Prevention Body UN torture prevention body announces upcoming country visits for 2020 and issues its views on recent legislative changes in Brazil.

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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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Transitional justice The High Commissioner briefs the Security Council on experiences with transitional justice across the world

Rule of law The rule of law makes institutions accountable for upholding human rights and the fair delivery of public services. And it empowers all individuals – including those who suffer entrenched discrimination -- to claim their rights. But the independence and impartiality of the judiciary is coming under threat in many countries.

Environmental rights All people, everywhere, should have the right to live in a healthy environment – and they should be able to hold to account those who impede fulfillment of that right.

Free media essential to peaceful and inclusive societies The High Commissioner addressed the Executive Group of the Media Freedom Coalition and called for strong, multi-sector collaboration and partnerships to defend media freedom and protect journalists and media workers.

Holocaust 75 years after the liberation of the extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the end of the devastating crimes of the Holocaust, violence and discrimination continue to be directed against Jews and others.

Civil Society Forum Twenty-five years ago, the rallying cry “women’s rights are human rights” powered the Beijing Declaration, a comprehensive commitment by States to uphold the human rights of women

The Office in 2020 The High Commissioner discusses major new plans for human rights work in 2020 – and the need for adequate funds

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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 on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women / 75th Session From: 10-02-2020
To: 28-02-2020
XVI

Human Rights Council Advisory Committee / 24th Session From: 17-02-2020
To: 21-02-2020

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / 67th Session From: 17-02-2020
To: 06-03-2020
PW Gr and PW 1st

Human Rights Council / 43rd Session From: 24-02-2020
To: 20-03-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Human Rights Committee - Working Group on Communications / 128th Session From: 24-02-2020
To: 28-02-2020
PW 1st floor

Committee on the Rights of Child / 84th Session From: 02-03-2020
To: 06-03-2020
Apia, Samoa

Human Rights Committee / 128th Session From: 02-03-2020
To: 27-03-2020
PW Gr and PW 1st

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Pre-sessional Working Group / 77th Session From: 02-03-2020
To: 06-03-2020
XVI

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