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Human Rights Champion: Daniel Chirinos
Enforced disappearances
Environmental crisis
Human Rights Champion: Dany Barrientos Ramirez
Stand Up for Human Rights

After seeing so many friends die for being associated with the LGBTQI+ community in Honduras, Daniel Chirinos committed to defending LGBTQI+ rights as Chidanna, a transgender activist and drag queen.
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“We need your support, and hope to see our dreams coming true”

Amina Masood’s husband was forcibly disappeared in Pakistan in July 2005. Sixteen years later, she is still searching for answers.
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Environmental crisis: High Commissioner calls for leadership by Human Rights Council member states

Opening the Council's 48th session, Michelle Bachelet listed catastrophic human rights impacts of climate change, pollution, and nature loss – in every region – and called for states to "place the bar higher" for action and funding, for the sake of "our common future"
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Inspiring change through photography

In Honduras, Dany Barrientos Ramirez gives a voice to migrants and the LGBTQI+ community through his work as a documentary photographer and activist.
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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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Artificial intelligence Bachelet calls for a moratorium on the sale and use of artificial intelligence systems that pose a serious risk to our privacy and other human rights until safeguards are in place, including greater accountability and transparency in how AI systems collect, store and use data.

Afghanistan: Women’s rights Women’s full and equal participation in public and political life in Afghanistan is essential to addressing multiple crises confronting the country, experts say.

Turkey It's high time for Turkey to figure out who murdered two environmental human rights defenders four years ago, says UN expert, and determine whether illegal mine owners were involved.

Modern Slavery Governments could save more than 80 million people from the threat of modern slavery if they granted the world’s forcibly displaced people the right to work, says a UN expert.

Afghanistan protests We call on the Taliban to immediately cease the use of force towards, and the arbitrary detention of, those exercising their right to peaceful assembly and the journalists covering the protests.

Tigray report Joint investigation team concludes its field work into allegations of human rights violations in Tigray with final report is to be published on 1 November 2021.

Afghanistan: Media protection Experts call on all States to provide urgent protection to Afghan journalists and media workers who fear for their lives and are seeking safety abroad.

Afghanistan: Women’s sport Experts deplore statement to media by Taliban official on 8 September that women would not be allowed to participate in sport, warning that it could be a step toward “gender apartheid”.

Iran: Halt execution Experts appeal to Iran to halt imminent execution of Iranian Kurdish prisoner Heidar Ghorbani and repeal his death sentence amid serious concerns that he did not receive a fair trial and was tortured during pre-trial detention.

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Tigray report Joint investigation team concludes its field work into allegations of human rights violations in Tigray with final report is to be published on 1 November 2021.

Afghanistan conflict Bachelet urges parties to the conflict to stop fighting to prevent more bloodshed

Syria: Daraa civilians Escalation in hostilities between Government forces and armed groups in and around the southern city of Daraa underscores the ongoing plight of civilians, who are in effect under siege there.

Beirut blasts A year on from the devastating explosions in Beirut, Bachelet stresses the urgent need for the Lebanese Government to ensure a transparent, effective, thorough and impartial investigation into what happened and to hold those responsible accountable.

Torture in Iraq Bachelet states that implementation of laws are key to end torture in detention in Iraq

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.

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Turkey It's high time for Turkey to figure out who murdered two environmental human rights defenders four years ago, says UN expert, and determine whether illegal mine owners were involved.

Modern Slavery Governments could save more than 80 million people from the threat of modern slavery if they granted the world’s forcibly displaced people the right to work, says a UN expert.

Montenegro Montenegro must take bold steps to strengthen its child protection system to prevent and respond to sale and sexual exploitation of children more effectively, expert says.

Montenegro visit UN Special Rapporteur on sale and sexual exploitation of children will conduct official visit to Montenegro from 8 to 16 September.

Minorities Forum Asia Asia-Pacific Regional Forum on conflict prevention and protection of human rights of minorities will take place on 7 and 8 September.

European Union The EU has the chance to set world standards by protecting people who risk their lives defending human rights all along supply chains in business, say UN experts.

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HRCAC concludes its 26th session The Human Rights Council Advisory Committee held its 26th session in a hybrid manner in Geneva, Switzerland, this week from 16 to 20 August.

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

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

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Disability rights in Djibouti and France UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) has issued its findings on Djibouti and France.

CED to review Brazil, France, Panama and Spain Committee on Enforced Disappearances will hold its upcoming session to review Brazil, France Panama and Spain.

CRC to review Czech Republic, Poland, Eswatini and Switzerland CRC will hold its upcoming session from 6 to 24 September to review the Czech Republic, Poland, Eswatini and Switzerland.

Afghan authorities must prohibit torture UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture calls on Afghan authorities to prohibit torture in any circumstances

CERD’s country review: Lebanon and Netherlands The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has issued its findings on Lebanon and Netherlands.

Women and girls in Afghanistan Two UN committees call on the Taliban to honour their pledge to protect Afghan women and girls and respect their human rights

Enforced disappearances To mark the International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances, UN experts say it’s urgent to address economic, social and cultural rights of victims.

Trials of former Spanish judge Baltasar Garzón trials were arbitrary and failed to comply with principles of judicial independence and impartiality – Human Rights Committee

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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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Women in conflicts The High Commissioner presented to the Council her report concerning the mainstreaming of the human rights of women and girls in conflict and post-conflict situations.

Sanctions Opening a panel at the Human Rights Council, Michelle Bachelet said countries apply sanctions for many reasons – including accountability and respect for human rights – "but human rights cannot be protected – indeed, are profoundly undermined - if sanctions, and the means of enforcement, themselves violate them".

Ukraine women Speaking to a Ukrainian women's conference, the High Commissioner pointed out that Ukraine "can boost its chances for a sound and sustainable recovery by taking strong steps to advance gender equality" – and encouraged strong advocacy for women's rights in all spheres of life

Pegasus spyware “Today’s unprecedented level of surveillance across the globe by state and private actors is incompatible with human rights,” the High Commissioner said in a Council of Europe’s hearing on the implications of the Pegasus spyware. She called the topic “pivotal” for “our privacy today and our freedom in the future.”

Women COVID-19 recovery The High Commissioner sent a video to the conference “Why post-COVID recovery needs women”, organized by the Aspen Institute Italia. She stressed that gender equality is “imperative” to overcoming crisis. “Not just because it is morally the right thing to do. It is a necessity,” she argued.

Afghanistan crisis At an urgent meeting on the growing humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the High Commissioner's statement called for all assistance to be grounded in human rights, including the rights of women and girls to speak out and participate in decisions

Tigray The High Commissioner updated the Human Rights Council on the “grave” human rights situation in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. “Even with the changing dynamics in the conflict, there has been one constant: multiple and severe reports of alleged gross violations of human rights, humanitarian and refugee law by all parties,” she stressed

Sri Lanka Updating the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Bachelet calls for "concrete actions" by Government on reconciliation and accountability

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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

Social Forum From: 11-10-2021
To: 12-10-2021
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

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Universal Human Rights Index

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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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