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Human Rights Champion: Ro’otsitsina Juruna
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Women and girls in conflict contexts
Human Rights Champion: Saro Imran
Stand Up for Human Rights

Countering COVID-19 misinformation in indigenous communities in Brazil

Ro’otsitsina Juruna, an indigenous woman from the Xavante people, has been helping her community in western Brazil to receive reliable information and access to COVID-19 vaccines, despite the misinformation spreading all over the country. “Immunization saves lives. Not just one person in a family, the entire family,” Ro’otsitsina said.
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Accountability for gross violations is an obligation - UN expert

“Accountability and appropriate sanctions for perpetrators are essential conditions for a peaceful and sustainable transition,” says Fabián Salvioli, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence.
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Address the full gamut of rights for women and girls’ in conflict situations, Bachelet urges the Council

In a report, Michelle Bachelet analyses the work of the Human Rights Council in mainstreaming the human rights of women and girls during and after conflicts. “A full understanding of women’s experience of conflict is critical for inclusive responses… and to build resilient societies and prevent further instability,” she said.
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Empowering transgender youth in Pakistan

Saro Imran is a transgender activist who advocates for the rights of transgender youth in Pakistan.
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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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Libya migrants We are extremely worried about the continued suffering of migrants and asylum seekers in Libya who are experiencing a myriad of daily violations and abuses at the hands of both State and non-state actors.

Hong Kong security law Experts deeply concerned by arrest of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist and woman human rights defender Chow Hang-Tung on charges of “incitement to subversion” and being a foreign agent.

Iran UN experts appeal for a stay of execution for a young man sentenced to death while still a child, and call on Iran to stop sentencing children to death.

Paraguay violates indigenous people’s rights Paraguay violated the indigenous community’s rights and sense of “home”, the Human Rights Committee said in its landmark decision

Right to a healthy environment Bachelet hails landmark decision that recognizes a healthy environment as a human right.

Child Rights: Historic ruling on climate change The CRC has found that a State party can be held responsible for the negative impact of its carbon emissions on the rights of children both within and outside its territory.

Environment Recognition by Human Rights Council of the human right to a healthy environment is historic breakthrough that could improve the life of everyone on the planet, says UN expert.

Myanmar military Concerns at substantial deployment of heavy weapons and troops by the Myanmar military in Chin, Sagaing and Maway regions.

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Right to a healthy environment Bachelet hails landmark decision that recognizes a healthy environment as a human right.

Myanmar military Concerns at substantial deployment of heavy weapons and troops by the Myanmar military in Chin, Sagaing and Maway regions.

Rohingya killing Bachelet pays tribute to Rohingya human rights defender Mohib Ullah and calls for a prompt, thorough and effective investigation into his killing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Fundamentalism One year after French schoolteacher Samuel Paty was murdered for teaching freedom of expression, UN experts encourage others to honour him by defending human rights.

Human rights defenders Governments around world must stop jailing people for peacefully standing up for human rights, and stop labelling human rights defenders criminals and terrorists, UN expert tells General Assembly.

Climate protests Governments should stop cracking down on peaceful climate-change protestors and instead harness their energy to save the planet and build a greener, more sustainable future, says UN expert.

Business and Human Rights Investors too often get privileged treatment while people impacted by their projects suffer, say UN experts, urging governments not to put a higher value on investment than on human rights.

Counter-terrorism Expert tells UN General Assembly that fundamental rights and freedoms are being neglected as countries build capacity to fight terrorism and violent extremism.

Torture Governments around the world must stop blaming systematic torture on rogue officials, and hold torturers to account, says UN expert, decrying “accountability gap” for torture.

Iran UN experts appeal for a stay of execution for a young man sentenced to death while still a child, and call on Iran to stop sentencing children to death.

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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

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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CEDAW’s upcoming country reviews UN Women’s Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session next week to review Maldives, Sweden, Egypt, Yemen, Indonesia, Ecuador, Kyrgyzstan, the Russian Federation, South Sudan and South Africa.

Migrant workers in Rwanda and Azerbaijan Committee on Migrant Workers (CMW) has issued its findings on Rwanda and Azerbaijan

Paraguay violates indigenous people’s rights Paraguay violated the indigenous community’s rights and sense of “home”, the Human Rights Committee said in its landmark decision

Human Rights Committee to review Germany, Armenia, Botswana and Ukraine Human Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session from today to 5 November, during which it will review Germany, Armenia, Botswana and Ukraine.

Child rights in Czech Republic, Eswatini, Poland and Switzerland The Child Rights Committee has issued its findings on Czech Republic, Eswatini, Poland and Switzerland.

Enforced Disappearances in Brazil, Panama, France and Spain Committee on Enforced Disappearances (CED) has issued its findings on Brazil, Panama France and Spain, the four States parties which it examined during its latest session.

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.

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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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Women: a Global Mission in a New Reality The High Commissioner delivered a statement at the 3rd Eurasian Women’s Forum, where she discussed the interconnectedness of the well-being of societies and the human rights of women and girls. Stating that, most especially in the light of Covid-19, we must continue to support women’s leadership and feminist movements -- political, public, and financial -- and continue to protect the right of all women to meaningful participation.

Michelle Bachelet at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly At the UN General Assembly, the High Commissioner presented her report to the Third Committee, outlining the office’s human rights work, between 1 January and 30 June 2021, including the work conducted by 95 field presences, in partnership with many stakeholders. She stated that “now is the time to build bridges and narrow human rights gaps” and that “next steps must be taken with urgency and resolve, trust and solidarity.”

Bachelet: Lessons learned and challenges in the fight against the Covid-19 Pandemic The High Commissioner addressed the opening of the 2021 Social Forum, in which she discussed good practices, success stories, lessons learned, and challenges in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic, with a special focus on international cooperation and solidarity, and from a human rights perspective

Reviving the Human Rights to Science The High Commissioner addressed the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipation Summit 2021 in an introductory remark, where she emphasized the importance of the human right to science. She further stressed the importance of this right in the context of Covid-19 and vaccine equity, stating that “the right to science must be accessible by all and benefit for everyone’s participation, without discrimination.”

Human rights principles to "build forward fairer”: from local policies to collective actions The Deputy High Commissioner addressed the high-level dialogue on the Future of the International Human Rights Cities Movement, focused on “building forward fairer’. She stressed that to build back fairer, “we must address the underlying weaknesses of our social and economic systems highlighted by the pandemic”, and that a comprehensive vision of human rights must be embraced.

Presentation of the Secretary-General's and High Commissioner's country reports and oral updates On behalf of herself and the Secretary General, the High Commissioner presented reports on the human rights situations in Cambodia, Georgia and Yemen. She further delivered an oral update on the progress and results of technical cooperation and capacity-building in the Philippines. Stating that she hopes this work can “help to promote a transformative approach to human rights-based reforms, strengthen an institutional culture of respect for human rights and redress for victims, and contribute towards prevention of violations recurring.”

Human Rights in the Times of Challenge, Establishing a New Social Contract The High Commissioner delivered a video message, opening the World Human Rights Cities Forum, discussing human rights in the times of challenge, and establishing a new social contract. She stated the importance of “rebuilding public trust through the protection and promotion of all human rights -- civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights – with the same emphasis.”

Statement by the Deputy High Commissioner at the interactive dialogue on Sudan The Deputy High Commissioner addressed the government of Sudan and the Human Rights Council in an interactive dialogue, welcoming the commitment of the Sudan to put in place important economic reforms and strengthen social protections, assisting the Sudanese access to key economic, social and cultural rights. Stating that “These reforms must be based on human rights principles so that they benefit all populations and leave no one behind.”

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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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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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UN Charter Body Database

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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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