OHCHR | Home

Improving prison conditions in Madagascar
Human Rights Day 2019
Human Rights Day Globally
Youth and climate
Stand Up for Human Rights

Humanizing the prison world: A diplomatic victory in Madagascar

Madagascar has made the humanization of the prison world a national priority. The diplomatic approach to human rights and support from UN Human Rights has significantly contributed to that.
More information All Stories

Bachelet: We salute youth for standing up on climate

We owe a debt of gratitude to the millions of children, teenagers and young adults who have been standing up and speaking out more and more loudly about the climate crisis facing our planet.
More information All Stories

Young people are at the forefront of standing up for human rights

Human Rights Day celebrates and encourages the activism of young people standing up for human rights. “This has been a year of tremendous activism, most notably by young people,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet.
More information All Stories

Young people's advocacy and activism for climate justice brings us all hope for climate action

At the COP25 in Madrid, the High Commissioner applauds youth movements for climate justice, pledging help to uphold young people's human rights
More information All Stories

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.
More information All Stories

News

Choose the type of news you want

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

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.

Syria: Civilian casualties We are gravely concerned by the increased use of IEDs (improvised explosive devices) in populated residential neighbourhoods, busy markets and commercial areas in northern Syria.

Egypt detention Egypt must free Ramy Kamel Saied Salid, who defends the rights of Coptic Christians, say UN experts, highlighting that his alleged mistreatment is part of a pattern of abuse.

Australia: Medevac law We are deeply concerned by Australia’s policy U-turn on medical evacuations from offshore detention centres. The new laws deprive individuals of appropriate medical care and puts their lives at risk.

Costa Rica mission Bachelet concludes official mission to Costa Rica and encourages it to continue creating space for dialogue and social participation.

Ethiopia reforms UN expert praises Ethiopia for its “encouraging” programme of reforms, but warns of short-term steps that could undermine progress.

Myanmar threats The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar condemns online threats against activists, urging the Government and social media firms to do more to protect them.

See All

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.

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.

Protests and unrest around the world There are common threads among many of the protests: populations that are fed up and angry, especially with socio-economic conditions, corruption, inequalities.

See All

Egypt detention Egypt must free Ramy Kamel Saied Salid, who defends the rights of Coptic Christians, say UN experts, highlighting that his alleged mistreatment is part of a pattern of abuse.

China visit UN expert on older persons welcomes the opportunity to engage in open dialogue with China, after a nine-day visit to the country.

Myanmar threats The UN Special Rapporteur on Myanmar condemns online threats against activists, urging the Government and social media firms to do more to protect them.

Ethiopia reforms UN expert praises Ethiopia for its “encouraging” programme of reforms, but warns of short-term steps that could undermine progress.

Fiji healthcare UN Special Rapporteur commends Fiji for its healthcare investment and urges it to tackle violence, discrimination and inequalities to ensure the right to health can be delivered for all.

Minorities mission The UN Special Rapporteur on minority issues will visit Kyrgyzstan from 6 to 17 December 2019 to gather first-hand information on the situation of minorities.

Qatar education The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education will visit Qatar from 8 to 16 December to assess the country’s work to implement the right to education.

“Listen to the people” Amid growing protests around the world, it is critically important to boost people’s participation in the Sustainable Development Goals so they can be part of making decisions that affect them, say UN experts.

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

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.

Women’s Rights Committee UN women’s rights experts issue findings on Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lithuania and Seychelles, which were examined during the session from 21 October to 8 November.

Committee Against Torture UN Committee Against Torture will meet in Geneva from 11 November to 6 December to review Burkina Faso, Cyprus, Latvia, Niger, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.

Spain: forced eviction case Spain violated a family’s right to housing by failing to weigh their vulnerability in an eviction, the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights determined in a decision published on 30 October.

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights publishes findings on Denmark, Ecuador, Israel, Senegal, Slovakia, and Switzerland, which were reviewed in its latest session.

Women’s Rights Committee UN women’s rights experts will meet in Geneva from 21 October to 8 November to review Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, and Seychelles

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

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.

Without Fear The courage to speak up in defence of human rights– even at risk of disfavour with States or other authorities – is crucial to the UN's work.

Climate justice in the Americas Our report analyses policies to address the worst impacts of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean – particularly on people who are already disadvantaged by inequalities and discrimination.

Business & climate At the COP25 in Madrid, the High Commissioner detailed human rights-based actions that States, businesses and investors should employ

Youth and climate At the COP25 in Madrid, the High Commissioner applauds youth movements for climate justice, pledging help to uphold young people's human rights

Climate in the Pacific The High Commissioner discusses human rights-based solutions with young people working to claim, achieve and advance climate justice in the Pacific

Participation for climate The broadest possible participation in decisions is essential, to ensure justice – and it is also necessary if all societies are to address climate challenges effectively.

Labour and climate Trade unions' combat for dignity will be invaluable to ensure that adaptation to climate change creates new jobs, and lifts people out of poverty.

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 the Elimination of Racial Discrimination / 100th Session From: 25-11-2019
To: 13-12-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Board of Trustees of the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples / 33rd Session From: 09-12-2019
To: 13-12-2019
Palais des Nations Room XXII

Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent / 25th Session From: 09-12-2019
To: 13-12-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Intergovernmental Working Group on the effective implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action / 17th Session From: 16-12-2019
To: 20-12-2019
Palais des Nations Room XXI

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 35th Session From: 20-01-2020
To: 31-01-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Human Rights Council / 43rd Session From: 24-02-2020
To: 20-03-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 36th Session From: 04-05-2020
To: 15-05-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

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