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COVID-19 on gender equality
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Social protection must be strengthened before the next crisis

In his latest report, the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights, Olivier De Schutter, said the millions of people thrown into extreme poverty due to the COVID-19 pandemic should be a warning sign. He pushed for the creation of a Global Fund for Social Protection to improve long-term social protection measures and the universalization of social protection floors for low-income countries.
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How to recover: elements of human rights analysis and policy for a better future

In a wide-ranging keynote to a European Commission summer course in democracy and rights, the High Commissioner called for strong efforts to embed long-term thinking in national and international governance.
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We must prioritize a gender-responsive recovery from COVID-19

“We must shift the recovery efforts now to stop setbacks in gender equality and to build more inclusive, just and prosperous societies,” said Michelle Bachelet, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during a panel on gender-equal socioeconomic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic at the Human Rights Council.
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Moderating online content: fighting harm or silencing dissent?

As countries introduce new rules to regulate online content, UN Human Rights calls on governments and companies to anchor any such efforts in human rights.
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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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Belarus: Violates rights to freedom of expression The decision to cancel the licence of a Belarusian lawyer after he spoke to the media about the detention conditions of his client, an opposition presidential candidate, violated the lawyer’s rights, Human Rights Committee has found.

Myanmar: Call for Covid ceasefire Expert urges emergency “COVID ceasefire” in light of an explosion of cases, even as State Administrative Council escalates attacks against health care workers.

Witchcraft and Albinism The COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in witchcraft killings of children and others with albinism, UN expert says, because of mistaken belief that potions made from their body parts can bring wealth.

Palestinian elections Experts call on Palestinian Authority and Israel to take all steps to re-schedule Palestinian elections within a reasonably short timeframe and to ensure they are free, fair, democratic, peaceful and credible.

CAR UN expert calls for independent investigation and justice in killing of 13 civilians

Iran water protests Bachelet calls on the Iranian authorities to concentrate on taking urgent action to address the chronic water shortage in the province of Khuzestan, rather than using excessive force and widespread arrests to crush the protests about the situation.

Thai park ‘heritage’ status Experts urge UNESCO World Heritage Committee to defer Thailand’s bid to get heritage listing for Kaeng Krachan Forest Complex, saying indigenous Karen living there are being subjected to rights violations.

Use of spyware Revelations regarding the apparent widespread use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists and others are extremely alarming

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Use of spyware Revelations regarding the apparent widespread use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists and others are extremely alarming

Eswatini unrest We are concerned at the potential for further unrest in Eswatini following recent protests. We urge accountability, and for the Government to open up a longer-term dialogue to air and address the public concerns.

Ramallah protests Bachelet urges Palestinian authorities to ensure the safety of protesters ahead of further demonstrations in Ramallah, following the violent suppression of protests by Palestinian security forces, both uniformed and plain-clothed, and other armed individuals.

Haiti: Prison conditions Report calls for urgent solutions to tackle inhumane and overcrowded prison conditions in Haiti, where prisoners often spend years subjected to ill-treatment and torture, many of them while still awaiting trial.

Mali violations Bachelet urges the Malian authorities to break the cycle of impunity and establish prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses, including those committed by the military.

Tigray killings The High Commissioner is outraged at the brutal murder of three Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) humanitarian workers in Tigray, Ethiopia. Humanitarian and human rights workers are civilians and as such can never be targeted. Perpetrators must be held accountable.

Canada Indigenous Peoples We welcome the adoption of a bill that affirms the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as applicable in Canadian law.

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Libya With elections scheduled for later this year, UN experts call for all mercenaries and related private contractors to leave Libya to enhance chances for peace.

Roma Holocaust Memorial Day Nearly 80 years after Romani genocide in Europe, UN expert warns against demonising Roma and against hate speech and crimes targeting minorities.

Zambia lead poisoning UN experts say Zambia must treat children suffering from lead poisoning in the toxic town of Zabwe and clean up deadly soil under homes, playgrounds and schools.

Human Trafficking Racial profiling, racism and gender-based discrimination mean victims of human trafficking, particularly women and children, are not being protected as they should be.

Guatemala Indigenous human rights defenders must not be treated like criminals, say UN experts

CAR UN expert calls for independent investigation and justice in killing of 13 civilians

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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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Human Rights Committee’s findings on Togo Human Rights Committee has issued its findings on Togo, the State party which it examined during its latest session.

Committee Against Torture’s findings on Belgium CAT today issued its findings on Belgium, the State party which it examined during its latest session.

Mauritius’ smart ID violates privacy Human Rights Committee has found that Mauritius violates its citizens’ privacy rights, as there are no sufficient guarantees that the fingerprints and other biometric data stored on the identity card will be securely protected.

Myanmar: Children under siege Children’s rights in Myanmar are facing an onslaught that risks leaving an entire generation damaged, the CRC has warned.

Committee against Torture to review Belgium CAT will hold its upcoming session from 12 to 30 July 2021 during which it will review Belgium.

Turkey: Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention Turkey’s decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention is deeply regrettable and should be reversed, CEDAW said.

Vaccination for people deprived of liberty SPT has called on States to ensure that people deprived of liberty are included in national vaccination programmes against COVID-19, and to continue efforts to tackle overcrowding in detention.

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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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Racial justice At an event in South Africa to mark the 20th anniversary of the Durban World Conference Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, the High Commissioner emphasised the role of young people in demanding – and building – equality.

How to recover Delivering a wide-ranging keynote to a European Commission summer course in democracy and rights, the High Commissioner called for strong efforts to embed long-term thinking in national and international governance.

Right to Food Speaking to a pre-Food Summit meeting of experts, the High Commissioner said human rights-based policies will be "crucial for a healthy environment and healthy nutrition – advancing both the right to food and the right to health".

Voices of African descent At an event alongside the General Assembly midterm review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the High Commissioner honoured the courage and resilience demonstrated by people of African descent in their struggles for equality over many generations.

People of African descent At the General Assembly review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the High Commissioner emphasised the need for far stronger action to advance racial justice and equality in all fields of life.

Fighting impunity Fighting impunity effectively and consistently is “central to upholding human rights,” the High Commissioner stressed, noting that victims of violations have a right to truth, justice and redress. Speaking at the Annual Venice Conference on the Global State of Human Rights, she added that the rule of law is essential to ensuring sustainable and lasting peace.

Nelson Mandela Moot Court The High Commissioner spoke at the closing ceremony of the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court and thanked all participants for their “much needed interest and dedication to human rights.”

Rights in Africa Speaking to an event in Guinea to honour the influence of Hernan Santa Cruz, the High Commissioner said the synergy of human rights "can help to unlock the transformation of African economies" and sound recovery 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 / 48th Session From: 13-09-2021
To: 08-10-2021
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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UN Charter Body Database

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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

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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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