OHCHR | Home

Convention on Genocide
Domestic servitude
Genocide Convention
Myanmar report
Stand Up / UDHR 70 campaign

Genocide: "Never again" has become "time and again"

“Nothing can prevent hate crimes such as genocide, more than the existence of societies where human rights are fully enjoyed” said Fabian Salvioli, UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparations and guarantees of non-recurrence.
More information All Stories

The unspoken servitude of women domestic workers

The integration of women in the global labour market and ageing societies have created a gap in households filled by migrant domestic workers whose rights can be gravely violated, says Urmila Bhoola, UN expert on contemporary forms of slavery.
More information All Stories

To combat the ‘odious scourge’ of genocide, we must make every effort to promote justice

The genocide convention matters as much today as it did 70 years ago, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said.
More information All Stories

"The truth can be recovered" - the methodology behind fact-finding in Myanmar

Human rights experts of the UN fact-finding mission on Myanmar reveal the methodology they used to assess the credibility of allegations against Myanmar authorities.
More information All Stories

Stand up for human rights and celebrate the UDHR 70th anniversary

Join the year-long campaign to celebrate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which turns 70 in 2018. 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

Experts urge Council to act on Egypt Experts call on Human Rights Council to urgently respond to verdicts condemning 75 protesters to death and 47 to life sentences in Egypt.

Eritrea-Ethiopia peace Peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia raises hopes that human rights will be at centre of Eritrea’s path towards a society respectful of all fundamental rights, says expert.

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to hold session The Committee will review economic, social and cultural rights in Argentina, Cabo Verde, Germany, Mali, South Africa, and Turkmenistan.

Guatemala: Judicial independence Guatemala must adopt all necessary measures to fully ensure that judges and magistrates perform their duties with full independence and guarantees, says expert.

“Bride kidnapping” in Kyrgyzstan Culture of abduction, rape and forced marriage violates women’s rights in Kyrgyzstan, UN experts find

Human rights of migrant workers Committee publishes findings on Madagascar and Mozambique.

Landmark environment treaty welcomed Experts welcome adoption of landmark Escazú agreement and urge States in Latin America and Caribbean to sign and ratify as quickly as possible a ground-breaking environment treaty for the region.

Reprisals report People continue to face reprisals for cooperating with the UN on human rights, a “shameful practice” that deters others from engaging with the UN and results in “self-censorship in all regions” - major UN report.

See All

Myanmar: Freedom of expression Ill-defined laws have been used in Myanmar to exert control over independent journalism across the country, including in Kachin, Shan and Rakhine states, UN human rights report on freedom of expression finds.

Briefing notes Independent journalism is now impossible in Myanmar, concern at protests in Basra in Iraq and two weeks after a WFP truck was shelled, we have yet to see investigations into what could amount to a war crime.

Rights chief condemns Egypt ruling Bachelet says she is extremely concerned that an Egyptian court’s confirmation of 75 death sentences didn’t result from a fair trial.

Bachelet applauds India LGBT decision New UN Human Rights chief Michelle Bachelet urges other courts in other countries to follow the landmark unanimous decision by India’s Supreme Court to decriminalize consensual same sex relations.

DRC elections We urge the Congolese authorities to uphold freedom of expression ahead of the December elections and to curb the arbitrary arrests and excessive use of force against demonstrators.

Libya, Nicaragua, Malawi, Guatemala We urge an end to indiscriminate attacks in Tripoli; regret the Nicaraguan Government’s decision to expel UN human rights team; are concerned about increasing attacks against rights defenders in Malawi and call on Guatemala to fight impunity and corruption.

Passing of Kofi Annan The United Nations Human Rights Office is deeply saddened by the passing of Kofi Annan. He will always be remembered for his leadership as a courageous, dynamic and charismatic Secretary-General.

Myanmar journalists UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet urges Myanmar to immediately and unconditionally release two Reuters journalists jailed for exposing rights violations.

See All

Guatemala: Judicial independence Guatemala must adopt all necessary measures to fully ensure that judges and magistrates perform their duties with full independence and guarantees, says expert.

Experts urge Council to act on Egypt Experts call on Human Rights Council to urgently respond to verdicts condemning 75 protesters to death and 47 to life sentences in Egypt.

Kenya: Albinism Kenya records significant success in responding to attacks against persons with albinism and discrimination in the health sector but must do much more in other areas like access to justice, says expert.

Tunisia: Expert on freedom of assembly The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, Clement Nyaletsossi Voulé, will conduct an official visit to Tunisia from 17 to 28 September 2018.

Effects of sanctions on human rights Sanctions must not degenerate into blockades which expose innocent people to the ravages of economic war in peacetime without the protection of the Geneva Conventions aimed at safeguarding civilians in war time, says expert.

Toxic poisoning in the workplace Exposure of workers to toxic substances can and should be considered a form of exploitation and is a global health crisis, says expert.

See All

Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Cameroon, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan The Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Cameroon, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan.

UPR review outcomes of Azerbaijan, Tuvalu, Colombia, and Djibouti The Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Azerbaijan, Tuvalu, Colombia, and Djibouti.

UPR outcomes of Turkmenistan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde and Germany The Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Turkmenistan, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, and Germany.

Dialogue on the rights of indigenous peoples The Council held a dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples and with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples The Council held a panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples, focusing on their participation and inclusion in the development and implementation of strategies and projects in the context of the 2030 Agenda.

Debate on human rights situations that require the Council's attention The Council held a general debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention.

Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar The Council held a dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar after hearing an oral update by the Mission’s Chair.

Dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan The Council held an interactive dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.

See All

“Bride kidnapping” in Kyrgyzstan Culture of abduction, rape and forced marriage violates women’s rights in Kyrgyzstan, UN experts find

Human rights of migrant workers Committee publishes findings on Madagascar and Mozambique.

Child Rights Committee session Benin, El Salvador, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mauritania, Niger, and Saudi Arabia to be reviewed.

UN torture prevention experts to visit Kyrgyzstan The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) will make its second visit to Kyrgyzstan from 11 to 22 September.

Venezuela migrants States of transit and destination have an obligation to protect the human rights of Venezuelan migrants regardless of their migration status.

Stop regression on sexual and reproductive rights Rollback and regression on respect for international human rights norms threatens the sexual and reproductive health rights of women, including women with disabilities, UN human rights experts warned today.

Committee on Migrant Workers Rights experts to review Madagascar and Mozambique.

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

Indigenous peoples and the 2030 Agenda First Nations are too often the first casualties of development

Thematic reports Introducing reports under Items 2, 3 and 8 at the Human Rights Council.

Genocide Convention The genocide convention matters as much today as it did 70 years ago, High Commissioner Michelle Bachelet said.

"Change will come" High Commissioner Bachelet meets with NGOs.

Burundi human rights Burundi revoked permission for an expert mission and has not cooperated.

HC Bachelet Global Update High Commissioner Bachelet opens the Human Rights Council session with a statement of hope for universal rights.

Parting Message From HC Zeid Human rights defenders are true leaders: "longing for the leadership of the just"

A day of sorrow and homage The Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad, 15 years ago, killed 22 colleagues from the UN Human Rights Office.

See All Speeches

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

Migration

Migration, Human Rights and Governance: Handbook for Parliamentarians (co-published with IPU)

See All Publications

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities / 20th Session From: 27-08-2018
To: 21-09-2018
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Human Rights Council / 39th Session From: 10-09-2018
To: 28-09-2018
Palais des Nations Room XX

Committee on the Rights of Child / 79th Session From: 17-09-2018
To: 05-10-2018
Palais Wilson Gr

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Pre-sessional Working Group / 10th Session From: 24-09-2018
To: 28-09-2018
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / 64th Session From: 24-09-2018
To: 12-10-2018
Palais des Nations Room XVI

Social Forum / 10th Session From: 01-10-2018
To: 03-10-2018
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises / 21st Session From: 01-10-2018
To: 05-10-2018
Palais des Nations Room XXI

Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture / 48th Session From: 01-10-2018
To: 05-10-2018
Palais des Nations Room XXVII

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

Quick selection

Treaty BodiesSchedule of country reviews Deadlines for the submission of documentation Information by country - ratification status, reporting cycles and documentation Elections of Treaty Body Members
Special ProceduresOverview of visits by Special Procedures Upcoming country visits History of country visits since 1998 Countries with standing invitations
Universal Periodic ReviewOverview Documentation by country