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Incitement to hatred and the Cameroon crisis
Holocaust
The power of human rights education
2020 Appeal
Stand Up for Human Rights

Cameroon crisis: preventing the speech that incites violence

Ahead of next month’s elections in Cameroon, UN Human Rights works with the media, civil society and national institutions to find solutions to prevent speech that incites hatred and exacerbates violence in that country.
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Human rights education helps protect all societies from the mindset that produced the Nazi Holocaust

75 years after the liberation of the extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the end of the devastating crimes of the Holocaust, violence and discrimination continue to be directed against Jews and others.
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From student to human rights defender: the power of human rights education

Premalatha Tamilselvan was 12 years old when she took part in a human rights education programme in her school in a small village in southern India. Nine years later, she came to Geneva, Switzerland to advocate for similar programmes to be rolled out across more schools. 24 January marks the International Day for Education.
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High Commissioner Bachelet launches a 2020 funding appeal based on fundamental new challenges

Total extra-budgetary resources required for 2020 amount to US$ 375.5 million, for a programme the High Commissioner termed “unmatched in the history of this Office”
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Human Rights Day: Youth stand up for human rights

This year we celebrate the leadership role of youth in collective movements as a source of inspiration for a better future. Discover how young people are standing up for human rights and spread the word.
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News

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Iraq: ISIL fighters’ trials Trials of ISIL fighters under Iraq’s anti-terrorism laws saw serious efforts to ensure accountability for atrocities, report says, but there are concerns that unfair trials put defendants at a serious disadvantage.

Libya airstrikes UN joint report calls for accountability for a deadly airstrike on a migrant detention centre last July, and says urgent steps are needed to prevent a similar tragedy.

Myanmar: ICJ decision Bachelet welcomes the Order by the International Court of Justice that Myanmar must take “all measures within its power” to protect the Rohingya group from all future acts that may amount to genocide.

Myanmar expert statement UN human rights expert says she has lost optimism in Myanmar’s future after concluding her final official visit to the region,

Alleged Bezos phone hack UN experts call for investigation into allegations that Saudi Crown Prince involved in hacking of Jeff Bezos’ phone.

Holocaust Remembrance Day UN experts express concerns about dramatic – and often unchecked - increase in antisemitic rhetoric and violence around the world.

Spain expert visit UN expert on extreme poverty will carry out a fact-finding to Spain, which has one of the highest poverty rates in Europe.

Lebanon: Violent protests We call on all actors to do their utmost to de-escalate the situation, and urge Lebanese authorities to establish a meaningful and inclusive dialogue with all segments of society.

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Libya airstrikes UN joint report calls for accountability for a deadly airstrike on a migrant detention centre last July, and says urgent steps are needed to prevent a similar tragedy.

Human Rights Day Statement by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet

Iran protests Bachelet alarmed by the continuing lack of transparency about casualties and the treatment of thousands of detainees, as well as continuing arrests reported to be taking place across the country.

Iran protests Bachelet alarmed by continuing lack of transparency about casualties and treatment of thousands of detainees, as well as continuing arrests reported to be taking place across the country.

Ecuador protest Bachelet urges all actors in Ecuador to engage in dialogue to prevent new conflicts and forge an inclusive, peaceful society with full respect for its multicultural nature.

Iran protests We are deeply concerned by reported violations of international norms and standards on the use of force.

International Conference on the Great Lakes The UN Human Rights Office signs an agreement with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region

Bachelet to visit Costa Rica Human Rights chief will meet with the Officials of the Government; engage with civil society organizations, including indigenous associations, trade unions and youth movements.

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World Leprosy Day Too many women and children affected by leprosy suffer from institutionalized neglect and governments must put an end to it, says UN expert.

Myanmar expert statement UN human rights expert says she has lost optimism in Myanmar’s future after concluding her final official visit to the region,

Spain expert visit UN expert on extreme poverty will carry out a fact-finding to Spain, which has one of the highest poverty rates in Europe.

Holocaust Remembrance Day UN experts express concerns about dramatic – and often unchecked - increase in antisemitic rhetoric and violence around the world.

Alleged Bezos phone hack UN experts call for investigation into allegations that Saudi Crown Prince involved in hacking of Jeff Bezos’ phone.

Peru expert visit UN expert will visit Peru to assess the situation of human rights defenders and review State efforts in protecting them.

Cambodia Kem Sokha trial UN experts express concerns over treason trial against Cambodia opposition leader Kem Sokha – a trial they describe as “tainted”.

Italy expert visit For the first time, a UN expert will visit Italy to examine the Government’s efforts in the realisation of the right to food.

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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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Human Rights and climate change UN Human Rights Committee says countries may not deport individuals who face climate change-induced conditions that violate the right to life.

Child Rights Committee UN Child Rights Committee meeting in Geneva to review Austria, Belarus, Costa Rica, Hungary, Rwanda and State of Palestine

Women’s Rights Statement Statement by the Vice-Chair of the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, in commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Women’s Rights Convention on Wednesday.

Torture Prevention Body UN torture prevention body announces upcoming country visits for 2020 and issues its views on recent legislative changes in Brazil.

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination issues its findings on Cambodia, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, and Uzbekistan, as well as its third decision regarding inter-State communications.

Committee Against Torture UN Committee Against Torture issues findings on Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Latvia, Niger, Portugal and Uzbekistan, which it reviewed in its latest session from 11 November to 6 December.

Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will meet in Geneva from 25 November to 13 December 2019 to review Cambodia, Colombia, Ireland, Israel, and Uzbekistan.

Protection of children A number of States declare on Wednesday their commitment to improve protection of children’s rights, during the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Child Rights Convention.

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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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Holocaust 75 years after the liberation of the extermination camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the end of the devastating crimes of the Holocaust, violence and discrimination continue to be directed against Jews and others.

Civil Society Forum Twenty-five years ago, the rallying cry “women’s rights are human rights” powered the Beijing Declaration, a comprehensive commitment by States to uphold the human rights of women

The Office in 2020 The High Commissioner discusses major new plans for human rights work in 2020 – and the need for adequate funds

Let girls be girls Practices such as female genital mutilation; so-called "honour" crimes; dowry-related killings and violence; child, early and forced marriages; so-called “virgin rapes”; bride kidnapping; virginity tests; and polygamous marriage are still widespread -- and profoundly damaging.

Venezuela update Briefing to the Human Rights Council on important human rights issues in Venezuela, and prospects for a newly signed human rights cooperation agreement

Ukraine update Detailed human rights reporting by the Office indicates some easing of the impact on civilians of the conflict in Ukraine

Migration On International Migrants Day, High Commissioner Bachelet reflects on the human desire to belong, and calls for celebration of our shared humanity.

Women & climate Empowering women and girls is key to climate action, the High Commissioner said - pledging to "defend and advance" the principles of women's rights laid out in the Beijing Declaration 25 years ago.

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The UN Human Rights Appeal 2020

The UN Human Rights Appeal 2020

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 / 35th Session From: 20-01-2020
To: 31-01-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Committee on the Rights of Child / 83rd Session From: 20-01-2020
To: 07-02-2020
Palais Wilson

Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and practice / 27th Session From: 27-01-2020
To: 31-01-2020
New York

Working Group on Situations / 25th Session From: 27-01-2020
To: 31-01-2020

Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises / 25th Session From: 03-02-2020
To: 07-02-2020
XXI

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Working Group on Communications / 46th Session From: 04-02-2020
To: 07-02-2020
XVI

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - WG on inquiries / 15th Session From: 06-02-2020
To: 07-02-2020
IX

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women / 75th Session From: 10-02-2020
To: 28-02-2020
XVI

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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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Anti-discrimination Database

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Human Rights Education and Training Database

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Jurisprudence Database

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