OHCHR | Home

Water rights in public spaces
Girl Child Day 2019
Rights in a Changing World
Social Forum 2019
Stand up for human rights

Public spaces and workplaces left behind in the right to water and sanitation

While many States have made progress in increasing access to water and sanitation in households, it is often the people who rely on services in public spaces and workplaces who are being left behind.
More information All Stories

Katura Halleday: “The youth today are the leaders of tomorrow”

Young Australian rights defender, Katura Halleday, is helping reduce education inequality. On the International Day of the Girl Child, 11 October, we celebrate her and the countless other girls who are proving they are unscripted and unstoppable.
More information All Stories

Navigating uncertainty and change with a human rights approach that embraces dialogue, clarity, principles – and justice

In Australia, the High Commissioner weighs today's turbulence with that of past eras – and advocates global engagement and the implementation of human rights.
More information All Stories

Education has the power to transform lives

“As the global refugee crisis deepens, children are often most affected,” said Maya Ghazal, 20-year-old Syrian refugee. “But they are also extraordinarily resilient. They find ways to cope, to progress and if given the opportunity, thrive!” Ghazal was a featured speaker during the 2019 Social Forum in Geneva.
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

Cabo Verde: End of visit UN torture prevention committee ends its first visit to Cabo Verde and encourages the Government to strengthen the recently established National Preventive Mechanism

Turkey’s offensive in Syria UN Human Rights Office disturbed by reports of civilian casualties in Syria.

Germany: Synagogue attack The UN strongly condemns Wednesday’s attempted attack on worshippers in a synagogue in Halle in Germany.

Israel’s alleged torture of Palestinian UN Human Rights Office calls on Israel to revise its laws, policies and practices regarding torture.

Norway disability rights Norway is to be commended for its comprehensive social protection system but must do more on full rights for people with disabilities, says visiting UN expert.

Malawi protests UN concerned by an increase in violent protests across Malawi.

Suicide prevention call Suicide prevention should not be addressed by increased prescription of medication but by rights-based changes to make life more liveable, says UN expert

Celebrating girl power On the occasion of International Day of the Girl Child, experts applaud the energy, urgency, courage and intellect of girls and young women in confronting today’s struggles.

Azerbaijan right to food Azerbaijan’s economy is flourishing but it should work towards economic diversification and provide help for smallholders, says visiting UN rights expert Hilal Elver.

See All

Turkey’s offensive in Syria UN Human Rights Office disturbed by reports of civilian casualties in Syria.

Afghanistan: Airstrike casualties UN Report finds “US Airstrikes on Alleged Drug-Processing Facilities” caused a large number of civilian casualties.

Egyptian protests Bachelet urges Egyptian authorities to respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

DRC: Increase in violence UN Human Rights Office calls on the DRC authorities, as a matter of urgency, to implement a serious security strategy to resolve the crises and protect civilians in Ituri and South Kivu.

Reprisals on the rise UN Secretary-General Report documents alleged reprisals against victims, members of civil society and activists for cooperating with the UN in close to 50 countries.

Iraq Demonstrations UN rights office reminds Iraqi Government any use of force must comply with international standards, and protestors should be allowed to freely exercise their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

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.

See All

Cabo Verde: End of visit UN torture prevention committee ends its first visit to Cabo Verde and encourages the Government to strengthen the recently established National Preventive Mechanism

Norway disability rights Norway is to be commended for its comprehensive social protection system but must do more on full rights for people with disabilities, says visiting UN expert.

Bulgaria: Expert visit The United Nations Special Rapporteur on violence against women, Dubravka Šimonović, is visiting Bulgaria from 14 to 21 October 2019.

Israel’s alleged torture of Palestinian UN Human Rights Office calls on Israel to revise its laws, policies and practices regarding torture.

Republic of Congo The UN Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples will visit the Republic of Congo from 14 to 24 October.

Azerbaijan right to food Azerbaijan’s economy is flourishing but it should work towards economic diversification and provide help for smallholders, says visiting UN rights expert Hilal Elver.

Suicide prevention call Suicide prevention should not be addressed by increased prescription of medication but by rights-based changes to make life more liveable, says UN expert

See All

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.

See All

Cabo Verde: End of visit UN torture prevention committee ends its first visit to Cabo Verde and encourages the Government to strengthen the recently established National Preventive Mechanism

Committee on Enforced Disappearances UN Committee publishes its findings on Bolivia and Slovakia, which were examined during its latest session from 30 September to 11 October

International Day of the Girl States must better protect and empower girls, UN human rights experts say in joint statement by the UN Women’s Rights Committee and the UN Child Rights Committee for the International Day of the Girl.

Human Rights Committee UN human rights experts meet in Geneva to review Belgium, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Czech Republic, Mexico and Senegal

Belgium: Resolution of visa case The UN Child Rights Committee welcomes Belgium’s resolution of visa case and rectification of process for children taken in under kafalah system

Right of the Child UN Committee on Rights of the Child publishes its findings on the countries it examined during its latest session.

Egyptian protests Bachelet urges Egyptian authorities to respect the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

Child rights and Climate Change UN Child rights committee welcomes the active participation of children on climate change.

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

Rights in a Changing World In Australia, the High Commissioner weighs today's turbulence with that of past eras – and advocates global engagement and the implementation of human rights

Bachelet in Australia Returning to the country that first took her in as a 23-year-old fleeing the Pinochet regime, the High Commissioner wonders what kind of reception she would get as a refugee in Australia today.

Boosting prevention To prevent human rights violations and conflict, we need to ensure that the entire UN system speaks and acts as one -- throughout the Peace and Security Pillar, the Development Pillar, and including Secretariat bodies, every specialized agency and all the UN Country Teams.

Malaysia visit At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur, Michelle Bachelet discusses the aspirations, opportunities, challenges and momentum for advancing human rights protections in Malaysia for all.

Celebrating women's heritage We enjoy a rich heritage today because of the feminist movements and women human rights activists who have gone before. We must continue to counter all efforts to control women’s decisions, freedoms, and the choices they make about their own bodies.

Civil society High Commissioner expresses “respect, support and gratitude” for the work of civil society and human rights defenders, at a Frontline event in Dublin

The transformative power of education Mayors, local government staff, members of civil society and human rights advocates are demonstrating that, in local settings, committed leadership can bring global laws to life.

Cities for Human Rights Mayors, local government staff, members of civil society and human rights advocates are demonstrating that, in local settings, committed leadership can bring global laws to life.

See All Speeches

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

See All Publications

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / 66th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 18-10-2019
PW Gr (30/9-11/10); PW 1st

Open-ended intergovernmental Working Group to elaborate a legally binding instrument on transnational cooperations and other business enterprises with respect to human rights / 5th Session From: 14-10-2019
To: 18-10-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Human Rights Committee / 127th Session From: 14-10-2019
To: 08-11-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Working Group on Communications / 45th Session From: 16-10-2019
To: 18-10-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - WG on inquiries / 14th Session From: 17-10-2019
To: 18-10-2019
Palais Wilson 1-016

Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action / 17th Session From: 21-10-2019
To: 01-11-2019
Palais des Nations Room XXI

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - Pre-sessional Working Group / 65th Session From: 21-10-2019
To: 25-10-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Working Group on the issue of discrimination against women in law and practice / 26th Session From: 21-10-2019
To: 25-10-2019
Palais des Nations Room XXV

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