OHCHR | Home

Child marriage
Human rights defenders and COVID-19
Minorities and COVID
Afghanistan
Stand Up for Human Rights

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.
More information All Stories

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.
More information All Stories

COVID-19 is amplified by systemic racial discrimination; Bachelet says

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
More information All Stories

In Afghanistan, six points for a sustainable peace

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 Photo below
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

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

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

See All

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.

Mozambique: Bachelet appalled by conflict in Cabo Delgado Bachelet calls on all actors to take urgent measures to protect civilians in Cabo Delgado province.

See All

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.

Guatemala Attacks against Constitutional Court and delays in appointment of judges to high courts must stop

Belarus protests Experts says they are gravely concerned by increased reports of mass detentions, intimidation and torture, and called for probe into excessive use of force and unlawful retaliation at peaceful protests.

See All

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

See All

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.

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

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.

Minorities Forum The High Commissioner addressed the Forum on Minority Issues focused on hate speech, social media and minorities and stressed that minorities have been disproportionately targeted. She recalled that "States have the obligation under international human rights law to act against incitement to discrimination, hostility and violence, while fully respecting freedom of expression"

Antimicrobials Resistance to anti-microbial medications is one of the top 10 global public health threats – and it is especially urgent for children's right to health, the High Commissioner said.

See All Speeches

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

See All Publications

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

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

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 37th Session From: 18-01-2021
To: 29-01-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

Human Rights Council Advisory Committee / 25th Session From: 15-02-2021
To: 19-02-2021
XX

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