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Annual Report 2020
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UN guidelines on business and human rights reach milestone anniversary

At this crucial time for human rights around the world, the 10th anniversary of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights call for a strong renewal of our work to ensure their implementation, the High Commissioner said.
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Promoting a human rights-based approach to digital tech is essential, HC says

At a high-level panel discussion linked to the upcoming session of the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Bachelet said ensuring that the digital space upholds and advances human rights is "an essential priority"
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A call for solidarity with all persons with albinism, in their struggle to live free from discrimination and violence

On the occasion of International Albinism Awareness Day, the High Commissioner noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the discrimination, marginalisation, bullying and violence, including ritual killings, that many people with albinism are subjected to around the world.
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Annual report 2020: Human rights at the heart of COVID-19 response and recovery

Anchoring human rights in COVID-19 responses was a core component of the work of UN Human Rights in 2020. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet presented the 2020 Annual Report of the Office to Member States during a virtual meeting.
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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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Business & human rights On 10th anniversary of UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, experts call on all States and businesses to make implementation a top governance and policy priority

China: Experts denounce ‘organ harvesting’ Experts alarmed by reports of alleged ‘organ harvesting’ targeting minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims and Christians, in detention in China.

Myanmar violence Bachelet warns that escalating violence in Myanmar must be halted to prevent even greater loss of life and a deepening humanitarian emergency.

Mladic convictions Bachelet welcomes the decision to uphold the convictions of former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic on multiple counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Chile: Swedish toxic waste Experts concerned by impact of toxic waste dumped by Swedish company in Chile nearly 40 years ago.

Belarus: media ‘black hole’ Experts outraged at arrest, alleged torture and forced confession of Roman Protasevich, and continued crackdown on independent media.

Canada: mass grave Experts urge Canada and Vatican investigate discovery of a mass grave at British Columbia ‘residential school’ for indigenous children forcibly taken from homes.

Ghana: LGBT rights Experts condemn arrest and alleged arbitrary detention of 21 people defending rights of LGBT community.

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Myanmar violence Bachelet warns that escalating violence in Myanmar must be halted to prevent even greater loss of life and a deepening humanitarian emergency.

Colombia: Violence in Cali Bachelet calls for dialogue and respect for human rights after new reports of deaths and injuries in Cali

Nicaragua elections Concerns over Nicaragua's chances of holding free elections due to measures taken by authorities.

Samoa OHCHR urges that the rule of law and democratic institutions in Samoa be respected and protected, and in particular the key role played by an independent judiciary.

Belarus: Roman Protasevich arrest We call for the immediate release of journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega.

Belarus experts Bachelet appoints three high-level experts for OHCHR’s examination on Belarus that will assist her in conducting a comprehensive examination of alleged human rights violations in the country since 1 May 2020

Israel / OPT Bachelet calls for strict respect for international law and appeals to all sides to take steps to de-escalate the increasingly alarming situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Iraq: Kurdistan Region Freedom of expression in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq has been increasingly curtailed over the past year. Critics of public authorities have risked not only intimidation, restrictions on their movements and arbitrary arrests, but some were also charged with defamation, while others were prosecuted under national security laws

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Switzerland Switzerland must end solitary confinement for a young man who is being held in conditions that violate the Convention against Torture, says UN expert.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Violence, abuse and neglect of older persons have been brought into sharp focus during COVID-19.

UAE Experts concerned at long-term imprisonment of so-called UAE94, a group of 94 lawyers, human rights defenders and academics jailed for plotting to overthrow the UAE Government.

COVID-19 UN human rights experts call on leaders of the world’s largest economies to make sure people in the Global South get equal access to COVID-19 vaccines

Turkey A UN experts calls on Turkey to release imprisoned human rights defenders and to stop using vague terrorism charges against those who stand up for human rights.

Mexico UN and regional experts call for peace after violent election campaign, and for investigation of killings during the campaign and on voting day

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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

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

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Spain violated the education right Spain violated the right to education of an eight-year old Moroccan boy in Melilla for not immediately admitting him to public school after his residency was confirmed.

CRC findings on Luxembourg and Tunisia Child Rights Committee (CRC) on Thursday issued its findings on Luxembourg and Tunisia

Coercive mental health measures UN human rights experts call upon the Council of Europe to withdraw the draft Additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention

South Africa: Domestic Violence South Africa’s low levels of conviction in domestic violence cases and the frequent failures by the police to enforce protection orders, exposed survivors to repeated abuses and resulted in the violation of women’s fundamental rights. Country: South Africa

CRC to review Luxembourg and Tunisia The UN Child Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session from 17 May to 4 June to review Luxembourg and Tunisia.

CED’s findings on Switzerland, Colombia and Mongolia Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Tuesday issued its findings on Switzerland, Colombia and Mongolia.

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.

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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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Business and human rights At this crucial time for human rights around the world, the 10th anniversary of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights call for a strong renewal of our work to ensure their implementation, the High Commissioner said.

Digital tech & rights Promoting a human rights-based approach to digital tech is essential, HC says

Albinism On the occasion of International Albinism Awareness Day, the High Commissioner noted that the COVID-19 pandemic is exacerbating the discrimination, marginalisation, bullying and violence, including ritual killings, that many people with albinism are subjected to around the world.

2020 anual report The High Commissioner presented the 2020 annual report on the work of her Office to promote and protect human rights around the world, especially in the context of COVID-19.

Health and energy At the inaugural meeting of a new Health and Energy Coalition, the High Commissioner noted that "action on clean energy can unlock tremendous impact on human rights, development and well-being" – and pledged to work for increased access to safe, clean and sustainable energy for all

Police interviews Launching a new set of Principles on Effective Interviewing for Investigations and Information Gathering, the High Commissioner noted the need to " shift mindsets and institutional cultures away from confession-driven practices, and towards rapport-based interviewing... (which) is more effective in obtaining accurate information, and more respectful of human rights"

Women in Egypt At an event focusing on violence against women in Egypt, High Commissioner Bachelet called for "sustained efforts" by the authorities to "change mindsets, including within key institutions"

Women leaders At an event organised by the Committee on Teaching About the United Nations, the High Commissioner delivered personal thoughts about her own experience as a women leader – and the need for many more women to take the lead in combatting and recovering from the pandemic

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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 / 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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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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