OHCHR | Home

International Day of Persons with Disabilities
UN Slavery Fund
Human Rights Day 2021- Equality
Human Rights Day 2021
Stand Up for Human Rights

Campaigner champions accessibility and visibility for all

After an accident left him in a wheel chair, former ice hockey player Eric Grassien made it his mission to improve access for himself and others on public transportation in Geneva.
More information All Stories

NGO assists those caught up labour exploitation and human trafficking

The NGO Fairwork supports support victims and potential victims of exploitation in their own languages, with legal support, referral shelter and other essential aid. Their work is made possible through a grant from the UN Voluntary Fund for the Victims of Contemporary Forms of Slavery.
More information All Stories

World’s Best Mayor: “Poverty makes the realization of human rights impossible”

Philippe Rio is the mayor of Grigny, one of the poorest towns in France. In 2021, he won the prize of the World’s Best Mayor, in recognition of his work to fight inequalities and advance the human rights of his constituents. “It is a reward for the community and a huge kick to fatalism” Rio said, praising his constituents for their solidarity efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
More information All Stories

Human Rights Day: All human, all equal

On Human Rights Day this year, we’re calling for a new social contract with equality at its core. By addressing deep-seated discrimination with human rights, we can move towards a fairer and more inclusive world – because we’re all human, and we’re all equal.
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

Refoulement of activists We call on the Thai authorities to respect the principle of non-refoulement and on the Cambodian authorities to drop politically-motivated charges against activists, and release them immediately and unconditionally.

Tigray violence against women Experts express grave concern about widespread sexual and gender-based violence committed against women and girls in the Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions of Ethiopia.

Burkina Faso visit Bachelet calls for the creation of meaningful dialogue among all parts of society to create solutions to the many difficult challenges the country is facing

Kashmiri human rights defender Concerns at the arrest of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

Myanmar: Forced evictions Experts call on Myanmar’s military chief to immediately halt ongoing forced evictions and home demolitions of informal settlements in Hlaing Thar Yar Township.

Ecuador: prisons violence Two UN anti-torture bodies expressed alarm at the ongoing violence in Ecuador’s prison system.

COVID vaccine concerns Omicron and other new COVID variants underline urgency to prioritize health and equality over profits and vaccine hoarding, say experts

Burkina Faso, Niger missions Bachelet today begins an official mission to Burkina Faso, followed by one to Niger from 1-4 December, with a range of human rights issues on the agenda, including the impacts of climate change and armed conflict.

See All

Burkina Faso visit Bachelet calls for the creation of meaningful dialogue among all parts of society to create solutions to the many difficult challenges the country is facing

Kashmiri human rights defender Concerns at the arrest of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

Iran execution We condemn the execution today in Iran of Arman Abdolali, who was below the age of 18 at the time of his alleged crime. We call on Iran to halt all executions of juvenile offenders

Honduras elections Bachelet expresses deep concern about political violence in Honduras, which has already claimed 29 lives, and calls on the authorities to ensure Sunday’s elections are peaceful, transparent and genuine.

Zhang Zhan We are very concerned about the rapidly deteriorating health of Zhang Zhan, whose life is reported to be at serious risk from a hunger strike she is currently conducting in protest at her conviction in December 2020 for documenting the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Russia “foreign agents” law We are concerned that legal action is under way seeking to close down Memorial, among Russia’s most respected human rights groups. We urge the Russian authorities to abolish the “foreign agents” law or substantially amend it, in line with the country’s human rights obligations.

See All

Costa Rica UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples will visit Costa Rica from 6 to 17 December 2021.

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka must become more inclusive and embrace all sectors of society if it is to overcome major issues such as caste-based discrimination and labour exploitation, says expert.

Tigray violence against women Experts express grave concern about widespread sexual and gender-based violence committed against women and girls in the Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions of Ethiopia.

Beyond COP26 Experts call for greater transparency and rigorous follow up to outcomes of COP26.

Croatia Expert urges Croatian authorities to redouble efforts on transitional justice following 1991-94 armed conflict, raising concerns about increased cases of radicalization and hate speech.

Niger Special Rapporteur on Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association will visit Niger from December 6-16.

Saint Vincent and Grenadines UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and environment says series of overlapping catastrophes in recent years underscore devastating impact of climate crisis on small island states.

Egypt Experts call on Egypt to halt misuse of counter-terrorism measures against civil society activists, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders

See All

Tajikistan / UPR Tajikistan’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Tanzania / UPR Tanzania’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

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

See All

CERD’s country reviews UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today issued its findings on Chile, Denmark, Singapore, Switzerland and Thailand.

CAT’s findings UN Committee against Torture published findings on the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Nigeria, Serbia and Sweden.

Ecuador: prisons violence Two UN anti-torture bodies expressed alarm at the ongoing violence in Ecuador’s prison system.

SPT announces visits for 2022 UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture will visit Argentina, Ecuador, Lebanon, Turkey and Tunisia in 2022.

Mexico: CED’s end of visit statement CED expressed serious concerns over 95,000 people were officially registered as disappeared in Mexico, of these, more than 100 disappearances allegedly took place during the Committee’s visit in November.

Child executions must stop Experts demand Iran stop sentencing children to death. There are currently over 85 juvenile offenders on death row in the country.

Children born of rape in armed conflict and their mothers Children born as a result of rape in armed conflict must be given better support, while women who survive sexual violence require comprehensive protection by the State, two UN committees urged.

CEDAW’s findings on ten countries UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today issued its findings on Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Russia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sweden and Yemen.

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

Business Opening the annual Forum on Business and Human Rights, the High Commissioner emphasised the need to uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights amid the turmoil of today's challenges, from climate change to growing inequalities, as well as the shrinking civic freedoms which undercut societies' ability to thrive

Women and peace At an event in Seoul, the High Commissioner cited Afghanistan and Myanmar in a discussion of why women's participation is crucial to peace and security – and continued setbacks to that principle.

Freedom of religion Speaking at an event to mark the 40th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief, the High Commissioner said that today, "the spectre of rising hatred on the basis of religion or belief" is alarming – and calls for strengthened action by all stakeholders to uphold the Declaration.

Discrimination Speaking to an event organised by the Russian Jewish Congress in Moscow, the High Commissioner emphasised the need to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia to enable humanity to deploy shared solutions.

Children with disabilities In a statement to a forum in Uzbekistan on children with disabilities, the High Commissioner emphasised the need for more inclusive education, to empower children with disabilities to claim and enjoy their human rights.

High Commissioner hails the courage of young activists Youth advocacy and activism have huge potential as a force for good and transformative change, the High Commissioner said. It is crucial to advance sustainable climate action and all human rights. States must take action to prevent and sanction the attacks, intimidation and harassment that many young activists face.

United Cities and Local Governments The High Commissioner addressed the UCLG World Council in Barcelona, where she discussed the importance of a more inclusive, multilateral approach to human rights including cities, local and regional governments. Stating that these local and regional governments are “at the front lines”

Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development The High Commissioner delivered a brief message to the 19th International Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development, where she welcomed the discussion in which young people would be contributing their views on how to overcome barriers to their sexual and reproductive health and rights

See All Speeches

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

See All Publications

Organizational session of the Human Rights Council for the 16th cycle (2022) / 16th Session From: 06-12-2021
To: 06-12-2021

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