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Global human rights update
Venezuela update
Indigenous rights defenders
Informal Briefing to States
Stand up for human rights

“The world has never seen a threat to human rights of this scope”: High Commissioner's update highlights climate threats

Michelle Bachelet's wide-ranging update to the Human Rights Council outlines human rights gains and setbacks across the world, and urges greater partnership
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Oral Update on the Human Rights Situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

At the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Bachelet details continuing and serious human rights concerns in Venezuela
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Courts rather than spears used to defend indigenous territories

Nemonte Nenquino and Omanca are land human rights defenders from the Waorani people in Ecuador. The group recently won a landmark court ruling against the Government preventing oil exploration on their land.
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"The cost of doing nothing is far too expensive": High Commissioner informally briefs States

A wide-ranging statement details many human rights and procedural concerns, days before the Human Rights Council opens session.
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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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Myanmar: A plea for ‘moral authority’ UN expert implores Aung San Suu Kyi “to open your eyes, listen, feel with your heart, and please use your moral authority, before it is too late”.

Agreement with African Commission Bachelet welcomes agreement between the UN Human Rights Office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Climate emergency UN human rights experts call for an end to society’s addiction to fossil fuels ahead of the Climate Action Summit in New York on 23 September 2019.

Uzbekistan judiciary UN expert Diego García-Sayán visits Uzbekistan from 19 to 25 September 2019 to assess the independence of judges, prosecutors and the legal profession.

Bangladesh Rohingya UN human rights experts express concern about tight restrictions and an increased military presence at Rohingya refugee camps after a massive “Genocide Day” protest.

Indonesia rights call Indonesia must people’s rights to peaceful protest and the rights of Veronica Koman and others reporting on protests in Papua and West Papua, say UN experts.

Enforced Disappearances review United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will meet in Geneva from 16 to 20 September to examine more than 530 cases from 36 countries.

Ecuador: Right to health The UN expert on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, Dainius Pūras, will visit Ecuador from 17 to 26 September.

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Myanmar: A plea for ‘moral authority’ UN expert implores Aung San Suu Kyi “to open your eyes, listen, feel with your heart, and please use your moral authority, before it is too late”.

Agreement with African Commission Bachelet welcomes agreement between the UN Human Rights Office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Zimbabwe protests We are deeply concerned by the socio-economic crisis that continues to unfold in Zimbabwe. We urge the Government to find ways to engage with protestors, and to refrain from the use of violence.

Rights to healthy environment New agreement between UN Environment Programme and UN Human Rights strengthens cooperation and prioritizes efforts to promote and protect environmental and human rights.

Hong Kong The High Commissioner is concerned by the ongoing events in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the escalation of violence in recent days. She urges restraint, investigations and meaningful dialogue

Sanctions on Venezuela Michelle Bachelet deeply worried about the potential impact of unilateral sanctions on the human rights of the people of Venezuela

Casualties in Yemen Series of attacks in Yemen have had serious impact on civilians across the country.

Concerns about excessive use of force by the Israeli Security Forces We call on the Israeli authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into the shooting of nine-year-old Palestinian child, Abdul Rahman Shteiwi

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Uzbekistan judiciary UN expert Diego García-Sayán visits Uzbekistan from 19 to 25 September 2019 to assess the independence of judges, prosecutors and the legal profession.

Climate emergency UN human rights experts call for an end to society’s addiction to fossil fuels ahead of the Climate Action Summit in New York on 23 September 2019.

Ecuador: Right to health The UN expert on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, Dainius Pūras, will visit Ecuador from 17 to 26 September.

Bangladesh Rohingya UN human rights experts express concern about tight restrictions and an increased military presence at Rohingya refugee camps after a massive “Genocide Day” protest.

Tuvalu Culture rights The UN expert in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennoune, is visiting Tuvalu from 18 to 25 September 2019 to assess efforts to implement cultural rights.

Indonesia rights call Indonesia must people’s rights to peaceful protest and the rights of Veronica Koman and others reporting on protests in Papua and West Papua, say UN experts.

Enforced Disappearances review United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances will meet in Geneva from 16 to 20 September to examine more than 530 cases from 36 countries.

South Africa albinism The UN expert on the enjoyment of human rights by people with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero, is visiting South Africa from 16 to 26 September 2019.

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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.

Human Rights Council extends mandates The Council adopted 12 resolutions in which it, among other actions, decided to extend mandates.

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Global climate action Joint statement highlights that States have legally binding obligations to protect human rights by urgently addressing the climate crisis.

Agreement with African Commission Bachelet welcomes agreement between the UN Human Rights Office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

UN Migrant Workers committee Publishes its findings on Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Colombia

UN Child Rights Committee to meet CRC to review Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Mozambique, Panama, Portugal, and the Republic of Korea

SPT visit The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is to carry out a visit to the UK and Northern Ireland. The focus of the visit will be on strengthening the framework and functioning of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).

Disappearances Day Progressively more precarious movements of migrants – often as a result of States’ rigid migratory policies - expose many to heightened risks of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, experts say.

Human Rights violations in Nepal Human Rights Committee urges Nepal to remove obstacles that hinder victims of torture and forced labour.

UN Disability Rights Committee to meet Albania, Australia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greece, India, Iraq, Kuwait, and Myanmar to be reviewed by human rights experts.

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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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Child Rights Convention For 30 years, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been a powerful driver for change. We need to renew our commitment to children's rights.

Women's rights: where next? Universal social protection measures are powerful levers to reduce poverty, promote inclusion and establish lives of dignity, bringing greater equality for women and girls

Assisting Togo Nine years of human rights support to Togo nourished an enduring relationship – and brought many useful lessons for cooperation elsewhere

Nicaragua update Despite some improvement since the resumption of political dialogue in February, serious human rights concerns persist

Yemen update Conflict, disease, famine, economic collapse, probable war crimes and widespread human rights violations combine to create horrific misery and suffering in Yemen.

Global human rights update Michelle Bachelet's wide-ranging update to the Human Rights Council outlines human rights gains and setbacks across the world, and urges greater partnership

Update on Gaza Serious violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law have continued since March

Venezuela update At the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Bachelet details continuing and serious human rights concerns in Venezuela

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Standing up for your rights

A collection of 16 stories highlighting the impact of our work around the world

Annual appeal 2018

Annual appeal 2018

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 Rights of Persons with Disabilities / 22nd Session From: 26-08-2019
To: 20-09-2019
Palais des nations Room XVII

Committee on the Rights of Child / 82nd Session From: 09-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Human Rights Council / 42nd Session From: 09-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances / 119th Session From: 16-09-2019
To: 20-09-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Pre-sessional Working Group / 12th Session From: 23-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais des Nations XVII

Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises / 24th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 04-10-2019
Palais des Nations XXI

Committee on the Rights of Child - Pre-sessional Working Group / 84th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 04-10-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Committee on Enforced Disappearances / 17th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 11-10-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVII

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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

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Jurisprudence Database

Access jurisprudence emanating from the United Nations Treaty Bodies that receive and consider complaints from individuals.

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