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Human Rights Day 2021 – Gitanjali Rao
HC Human Rights Day Message
Media freedoms
UN Heroes Award
Human Rights Day 2021

Young scientist uses technology as a catalyst for social change

Inventor, scientist and the first ever Time Magazine Kid of the Year, 15-year-old Gitanjali Rao uses science and technology as the catalyst to improve lives.
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Equality is at the heart of human rights

In her Human Rights Day statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says equality is the solution to the setbacks sparked by global shocks and exacerbated by COVID-19. "Equality is about empathy and solidarity and about understanding that, as a common humanity, our only way forward is to work together for the common good.”
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High Commissioner calls for greater respect for media freedoms

In a Human Rights Day message, Michelle Bachelet said the past two years have seen media freedoms, and journalists all over the world, targeted by crackdowns, undue restrictions and attacks. Yet, she pointed out, "We cannot combat and recover from the pandemic with better systems unless we benefit from the clarity that sound journalism delivers... Independent media of quality are essential to social harmony, sustainable development, justice and peace."
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”Heroes” award recognises work of UN human rights officers

UN Human Rights received the UN Heroes Award by the United Nations Foundation, recognizing the work of human rights officers in the field offices across the globe.
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Human Rights Day: All human, all equal

On Human Rights Day this year, we’re calling for a new social contract with equality at its core. By addressing deep-seated discrimination with human rights, we can move towards a fairer and more inclusive world – because we’re all human, and we’re all equal.
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Human Rights Day Equality is at the heart of human rights, and at the heart of the solutions required to carry us through this period of global crisis.

Myanmar escalation We are appalled by the alarming escalation of grave human rights abuses in Myanmar where in the last week security forces have burned to death 11 people and rammed vehicles into protesters exercising their fundamental right to peaceful assembly.

Libya expulsions Continuing forced expulsions of asylum-seekers and other migrants in Libya are deeply concerning, with a group of 24 Eritreans believed to be at imminent risk of similar treatment.

Pakistan disappearances Experts call on Pakistan to halt approval of amendment to bill criminalizing enforced disappearances that would harshly penalize families and other sources for reporting alleged cases.

Aung San Suu Kyi sentence Bachelet deplores the conviction and sentencing of Myanmar’s State Counsellor following a sham trial in secretive proceedings before a military-controlled court. We call for her immediate release.

Suu Kyi: “Hostage not criminal” Expert derides sentencing of Aung San Suu Kyi and Win Myint to four years in jail by military-controlled court in Myanmar as “theatre of the absurd”.

Human rights in Niger Bachelet ends a three-day visit with an appeal to the international community to support Niger in comprehensively addressing security, climate change, developmental and humanitarian issues, to help Niger step up to the daunting challenges it faces.

Refoulement of activists We call on the Thai authorities to respect the principle of non-refoulement and on the Cambodian authorities to drop politically-motivated charges against activists, and release them immediately and unconditionally.

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Human Rights Day Equality is at the heart of human rights, and at the heart of the solutions required to carry us through this period of global crisis.

Burkina Faso visit Bachelet calls for the creation of meaningful dialogue among all parts of society to create solutions to the many difficult challenges the country is facing

Kashmiri human rights defender Concerns at the arrest of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

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Bosnia and Herzegovina Expert urges Bosnia and Herzegovina to prioritize protection of human rights over divisive political agendas in transitional justice efforts to address serious violations committed during 1992-1995 armed conflict.

Liberia ritualistic killings Expert call on Liberian Government to promptly investigate series of killings that have occurred this year, some of which have reportedly been linked to ritualistic practices.

Civil society protection Experts issue joint declaration calling on States to strengthen international efforts to support and protect civil society actors who are increasingly being targeted in repressive and life-threatening environments.

Human Rights Day Recent crises underline urgent need to focus on principles of non-discrimination, participation, empowerment and accountability, and particular attention should be paid to people in vulnerable situations, UN experts say.

Central African Republic Expert calls on authorities in Central African Republic to return to custody a former rebel leader charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity, saying his sudden release undermines country's struggle against impunity.

Nepal Nepal has one of most progressive constitutions in the world, but many of its promises still are to be fulfilled, says UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty.

Maldives Maldives makes improvements on preventing and ending arbitrary deprivation of liberty, but significant challenges remain in ensuring effective implementation of existing legal framework, say experts.

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Tajikistan / UPR Tajikistan’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Tanzania / UPR Tanzania’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

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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CERD’s country reviews UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination today issued its findings on Chile, Denmark, Singapore, Switzerland and Thailand.

CAT’s findings UN Committee against Torture published findings on the Plurinational State of Bolivia, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Nigeria, Serbia and Sweden.

Ecuador: prisons violence Two UN anti-torture bodies expressed alarm at the ongoing violence in Ecuador’s prison system.

SPT announces visits for 2022 UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture will visit Argentina, Ecuador, Lebanon, Turkey and Tunisia in 2022.

Mexico: CED’s end of visit statement CED expressed serious concerns over 95,000 people were officially registered as disappeared in Mexico, of these, more than 100 disappearances allegedly took place during the Committee’s visit in November.

Child executions must stop Experts demand Iran stop sentencing children to death. There are currently over 85 juvenile offenders on death row in the country.

Children born of rape in armed conflict and their mothers Children born as a result of rape in armed conflict must be given better support, while women who survive sexual violence require comprehensive protection by the State, two UN committees urged.

CEDAW’s findings on ten countries UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women today issued its findings on Ecuador, Egypt, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Russia, South Africa, South Sudan, Sweden and Yemen.

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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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Dignity and rule of law Speaking at the human rights award ceremony of the CCBE, a network of European lawyers, the High Commissioner noted that "Where there is equality, justice and legal and practical respect for human rights, everyone can fully contribute to development; there is public trust in institutions; and because disputes can be impartially resolved, there is greater peace". But she added, "the rule of law has broken down, or is deliberately broken" in many societies.

Global Alliance for Care "Without care, we cannot have a productive and dignified life or develop ourselves to our full human potential," the High Commissioner said, welcoming the establishment of the Global Alliance for Care.

Media freedoms In a Human Rights Day message, Michelle Bachelet said the past two years have seen media freedoms, and journalists all over the world, targeted by crackdowns, undue restrictions and attacks. Yet, she pointed out, "We cannot combat and recover from the pandemic with better systems unless we benefit from the clarity that sound journalism delivers... Independent media of quality are essential to social harmony, sustainable development, justice and peace."

Development and rights : In a wide-ranging keynote to a conference organised by the Agence Française de Développement, the High Commissioner discussed how to change "economic approaches that have produced unbearable social costs, tearing apart the fabric of our societies and amplifying mistrust towards institutions".

Bali democracy forum Discussing today's "landscape of human rights disasters", the High Commissioner emphasised the need for States to create the broadest possible avenues for participation and feed-back – maximising media freedoms and freedom of expression, and ensuring broader access to health care, social protection, quality education and other human rights, to build more resilient and adaptable societies.

Award Acceptance Accepting the UN Foundation's "We The Peoples" award on behalf of the staff of our Office, the High Commissioner acknowledged the often significant risks faced by many teams mid massive human rights setbacks generated by the pandemic – and the high stakes of our work. "In a fragile world, we need to take bold and courageous steps – together – to bring about genuine change and advance the resilient societies we need, to tackle these crises."

HC Human Rights Day Message In her Human Rights Day statement, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet says equality is the solution to the setbacks sparked by global shocks and exacerbated by COVID-19. "Equality is about empathy and solidarity and about understanding that, as a common humanity, our only way forward is to work together for the common good.”

Environmental rights At the Hernán Santa Cruz Regional Dialogue for Latin America and the Caribbean, the High Commissioner stressed the importance of protecting environmental rights and their defenders. "We need an economy that works for all, that is centered on people and planet, and that therefore improves the conditions for ensuring respect for human rights, including the rights to development and to a healthy environment," she said.

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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 / 49th Session From: 28-02-2022
To: 01-04-2022

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National Human Rights Institutions Website

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Universal Human Rights Index

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Anti-discrimination Database

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