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Francis Oko Armah
Water Rights Defender: Autumn Peltier
Remembering the Holocaust
Annual Appeal: Success Stories
Stand Up / UDHR 70 campaign

When you stand up for girls, you stand up for everyone

Francis Oko Armah is a student who stands up for the right for young people to have access to and be educated about reproductive and sexual health. He works for the Young Leaders for Change Foundation in Accra, Ghana.
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"Anyone can use their voice. Believe in yourself."

At 14 years old, water rights activist Autumn Peltier, of the Wikwemikong First Nations community in Ontario, Canada, says helping the environment is something anyone can do at any age. Her activism has earned her a nomination for the 2019 International Children’s Peace Prize.
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Benjamin Orenstein, Holocaust survivor

Benjamin Orenstein, 93, is one of the last witnesses of the Holocaust and the only surviving member of his family who were all executed in the camps. He tells us his story.
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Showcasing human rights success in daily lives

Defending cultural rights of indigenous weavers in Guatemala; challenging discrimination against minorities in Moldova; supporting families of missing persons in South Korea and Kosovo*. As the UN Human Rights Annual Appeal kicks off for 2019, witness the difference our everyday work in human rights makes in people’s lives.
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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.
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News

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South Sudan: Sexual violence A UN report highlights persistently high levels of sexual violence in South Sudan’s northern Unity region.

Philippines: Concerns over a journalist arrest Concerns about the arrest on libel charges of Maria Ressa, the CEO of the independent news outlet Rappler in the Philippines

Ghana: Journalist killing Ghana must ensure an independent, prompt and transparent investigation into killing of journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela, say experts.

Myanmar: Protest crackdown Expert deplores violent police response to protests in Myanmar against a statue of independence hero General Aung San.

France: Gilets jaunes restrictions UN experts denounce severe rights restrictions on “gilets jaunes” protesters .

Chechnya: LGBT rights Russia must act urgently to protect rights of people who are, or are perceived to be, lesbian, gay or bisexual in Chechnya, and investigate allegations of human rights abuses including two reported deaths, say experts.

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee to review rights in Bulgaria, Cameroon, Estonia, Kazakhstan, and Mauritius.

Nicaragua: NGO raid Concern about the raid on the offices of the Red Nicaragüense para la Democracia y Desarrollo.

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South Sudan: Sexual violence A UN report highlights persistently high levels of sexual violence in South Sudan’s northern Unity region.

Philippines: Concerns over a journalist arrest Concerns about the arrest on libel charges of Maria Ressa, the CEO of the independent news outlet Rappler in the Philippines

Nicaragua: NGO raid Concern about the raid on the offices of the Red Nicaragüense para la Democracia y Desarrollo.

Russia: Jehovah’s Witnesses The harsh sentence imposed in a Russian court against a Jehovah’s Witness on charges of ‘organising the activity of a banned extremist organisation’ sets a dangerous precedent, says Bachelet.

Venezuela Bachelet condems the violence that has led to a number of deaths and injuries during this week’s protests in Venezuela.

International Day on Victims of the Holocaust Bachelet pays tribute to the victims of the Holocaust, says we must stand together against the "normalization of hatred."

Sahel: human rights role in fighting terrorism Andrew Gilmour welcomes the commitment of countries of the Sahel to protect the rights of civilians as they confront terrorism.

DRC killings The UN Human Rights Office is investigating allegations from credible sources that at least 890 people were killed between 16 and 18 December in Mai-Ndombe province in the west of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

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Ghana: Journalist killing Ghana must ensure an independent, prompt and transparent investigation into killing of journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale Divela, say experts.

Lesotho Fulfilling human rights to water and sanitation critical for human development, says UN expert

France: Gilets jaunes restrictions UN experts denounce severe rights restrictions on “gilets jaunes” protesters .

Myanmar: Protest crackdown Expert deplores violent police response to protests in Myanmar against a statue of independence hero General Aung San.

Mali Human rights situation in Mali is a cause of grave concern as security and humanitarian conditions in central and northern areas continue to worsen, says expert.

Guatemala: Fight against corruption The protection of human rights in Guatemala and an independent judiciary must be put at the centre of efforts by the State to combat impunity and corruption, say experts.

Belgium: Racism Belgium must recognize the true scope of the violence and injustice of its colonial past in order to tackle the root causes of present-day racism faced by people of African descent, say experts.

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Working Group to Review the Human Rights Records in 14 States Human Rights Council Universal Periodic Review Working Group to hold thirty-second session in Geneva from 21 January to 1 February 2019

Council concludes 39th ninth session The Council concluded its 39th regular session.

Council adopts eight resolutions The Council adopted eight texts.

HRC adopts five resolutions The Council adopted five resolutions.

Council adopts 10 resolutions The Council adopted 10 resolutions and one Presidential statement.

Dialogue on the Central African Republic, Georgia The Council held a dialogue on the situation in the Central African Republic, in Georgia, and on technical assistance and capacity building.

Human rights situations in Cambodia, Somalia and Sudan The Council held separate dialogues with mandate holders on the human rights situations in Cambodia, Somalia and Sudan.

Situation of human rights in Yemen and Libya The Council held dialogues on the human rights situation in Yemen and on the situation of human rights in Libya.

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Economic, Social and Cultural Rights Committee to review rights in Bulgaria, Cameroon, Estonia, Kazakhstan, and Mauritius.

Women’s rights committee to meet Will review women’s rights in Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Colombia, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Serbia, and the United Kingdom

Switzerland torture prevention The Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment has completed its first visit to Switzerland.

Child Rights Committee issues findings Child rights watchdog issues observations on Bahrain, Belgium, Czechia, Guinea, Italy, Japan, and Syrian Arab Republic, examined at the Committee’s latest session in Geneva.

Brazil torture prevention Human rights experts urge Brazil to abide by its international legal obligations by establishing an anti-torture mechanism.

Finland Sámi rights Finland violated the rights of representatives to the Sámi parliament, the Human Rights Committee found in two decisions published today.

UN torture prevention body to visit Switzerland The Sub-Committee on the Prevention of Torture will undertake its first visit to Switzerland from 28 January through 7 February to evaluate the treatment of persons deprived of their liberty.

Child Rights Committee meeting Committee to review children’s rights in Bahrain, Belgium, Czechia, Guinea, Italy, Japan, and Syria

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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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Positive human rights messages We need to make clear to people that the human rights framework is working – and working for them.

Female genital mutilation The African Union's campaign to end female genital mutilation will help free women from injustice and pain

Universal Social Protection Universal social protection is a right – and experience shows it need not be expensive.

HC meets German CEOs Especially today, businesses have a very important role to play in upholding and promoting human rights

Geneva Council of State Geneva’s motto is “after darkness, light”. We look forward to creating a world of rights and peace.

Sorrow, respect and determination The annual commemoration of victims of the Holocaust calls us to reflect on our present – and future.

The world is still not on target for 2030 "We need a greater sense of urgency about achieving the Agenda's promise to the world's people," the High Commissioner says.

Annual Appeal presentation The Office is a vital tool for greater prevention, and better protection, around the world.

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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)

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Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council / 22nd Session From: 18-02-2019
To: 22-02-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture / 37th Session From: 18-02-2019
To: 22-02-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / 65th Session From: 18-02-2019
To: 08-03-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women / 72nd Session From: 18-02-2019
To: 08-03-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVI

Human Rights Committee - Working Group on Communications / 125th Session From: 25-02-2019
To: 01-03-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Human Rights Council / 40th Session From: 25-02-2019
To: 22-03-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Global Alliance of the National Human Rights Institutions / 32nd Session From: 04-03-2019
To: 06-03-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVIII

Human Rights Committee / 125th Session From: 04-03-2019
To: 29-03-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

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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.

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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