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Report on Chile crisis
Human Rights Committee follow-up results
Improving prison conditions in Madagascar
Human Rights Day 2019
Stand Up for Human Rights

Report on Chile crisis describes multiple police violations and calls for reforms

Report on the mass protests and state of emergency in Chile concludes the police and army failed to adhere to international norms and standards, and calls for reforms.
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Human Rights Committee gives top grades for follow-up to five countries

The Human Rights Committee has given top ratings to five countries for satisfactorily implementing its recommendations.
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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.
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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.
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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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Report on Chile crisis Report on the mass protests and state of emergency in Chile concludes the police and army failed to adhere to international norms and standards, and calls for reforms.

India new Citizenship law We are concerned that India’s new Citizenship amendment is fundamentally discriminatory in nature. It seeks to expedite citizenship for religious minorities fleeing persecution in Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan.

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.

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.

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Report on Chile crisis Report on the mass protests and state of emergency in Chile concludes the police and army failed to adhere to international norms and standards, and calls for reforms.

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

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Ecuador The UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent will carry out a fact-finding visit to Ecuador from 16 to 20 December 2019.

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.

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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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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.

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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 & 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.

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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

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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

Human Rights Council / 44th Session From: 15-06-2020
To: 03-07-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Human Rights Council / 45th Session From: 14-09-2020
To: 02-10-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 37th Session From: 02-11-2020
To: 13-11-2020
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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