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“Universal health coverage is achievable,” says High Commissioner

High-level meeting on universal health hears that healthy societies are the key to unlocking sustainable development
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10,000 people a day must be freed to end slavery by 2030

In her latest report to the Human Rights Council, UN expert on contemporary forms of slavery, Urmila Bhoola, says that emerging global issues are putting more people of risk of being exploited or enslaved.
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“The world has never seen a threat to human rights of this scope”: High Commissioner's update highlights climate threats

Michelle Bachelet's wide-ranging update to the Human Rights Council outlines human rights gains and setbacks across the world, and urges greater partnership
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Oral Update on the Human Rights Situation in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

At the Human Rights Council, High Commissioner Bachelet details continuing and serious human rights concerns in Venezuela
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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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Experts decry hate speech Thirty independent UN experts have jointly published an open letter calling on States and social media firms to act to curb the spread of hate speech.

DRC: Increase in violence UN Human Rights Office calls on the DRC authorities, as a matter of urgency, to implement a serious security strategy to resolve the crises and protect civilians in Ituri and South Kivu.

Myanmar: A plea for ‘moral authority’ UN expert implores Aung San Suu Kyi “to open your eyes, listen, feel with your heart, and please use your moral authority, before it is too late”.

Norway & environment Expert praise elements of Norway’s leadership in protecting human rights and the environment, but says must put more focus on transitioning to a fossil-fuel free economy.

Agreement with African Commission Bachelet welcomes agreement between the UN Human Rights Office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Sign languages & rights States should recognise deaf people as members of linguistic minorities and ensure the full enjoyment of their human rights, says UN expert on minorities

Climate emergency UN human rights experts call for an end to society’s addiction to fossil fuels ahead of the Climate Action Summit in New York on 23 September 2019.

Bangladesh Rohingya UN human rights experts express concern about tight restrictions and an increased military presence at Rohingya refugee camps after a massive “Genocide Day” protest.

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Reprisals on the rise UN Secretary-General Report documents alleged reprisals against victims, members of civil society and activists for cooperating with the UN in close to 50 countries.

Myanmar: A plea for ‘moral authority’ UN expert implores Aung San Suu Kyi “to open your eyes, listen, feel with your heart, and please use your moral authority, before it is too late”.

Agreement with African Commission Bachelet welcomes agreement between the UN Human Rights Office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

Zimbabwe protests We are deeply concerned by the socio-economic crisis that continues to unfold in Zimbabwe. We urge the Government to find ways to engage with protestors, and to refrain from the use of violence.

Rights to healthy environment New agreement between UN Environment Programme and UN Human Rights strengthens cooperation and prioritizes efforts to promote and protect environmental and human rights.

Hong Kong The High Commissioner is concerned by the ongoing events in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and the escalation of violence in recent days. She urges restraint, investigations and meaningful dialogue

Sanctions on Venezuela Michelle Bachelet deeply worried about the potential impact of unilateral sanctions on the human rights of the people of Venezuela

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Norway & environment Expert praise elements of Norway’s leadership in protecting human rights and the environment, but says must put more focus on transitioning to a fossil-fuel free economy.

Experts decry hate speech Thirty independent UN experts have jointly published an open letter calling on States and social media firms to act to curb the spread of hate speech.

Switzerland: Expert visit UN Special Rapporteur Saad Alfarargi visits Switzerland from 23 September to 2 October 2019 to assess its efforts on the right to development.

Uzbekistan judiciary UN expert Diego García-Sayán visits Uzbekistan from 19 to 25 September 2019 to assess the independence of judges, prosecutors and the legal profession.

Climate emergency UN human rights experts call for an end to society’s addiction to fossil fuels ahead of the Climate Action Summit in New York on 23 September 2019.

Ecuador: Right to health The UN expert on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health, Dainius Pūras, will visit Ecuador from 17 to 26 September.

Bangladesh Rohingya UN human rights experts express concern about tight restrictions and an increased military presence at Rohingya refugee camps after a massive “Genocide Day” protest.

Tuvalu Culture rights The UN expert in the field of cultural rights, Karima Bennoune, is visiting Tuvalu from 18 to 25 September 2019 to assess efforts to implement cultural rights.

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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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End of visit Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) concludes visit to UK and Northern Ireland. Head of the delegation welcomes the excellent cooperation with the authorities.

Global climate action Joint statement highlights that States have legally binding obligations to protect human rights by urgently addressing the climate crisis.

Agreement with African Commission Bachelet welcomes agreement between the UN Human Rights Office and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

UN Migrant Workers committee Publishes its findings on Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Colombia

UN Child Rights Committee to meet CRC to review Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Mozambique, Panama, Portugal, and the Republic of Korea

SPT visit The UN Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is to carry out a visit to the UK and Northern Ireland. The focus of the visit will be on strengthening the framework and functioning of the National Preventive Mechanism (NPM).

Disappearances Day Progressively more precarious movements of migrants – often as a result of States’ rigid migratory policies - expose many to heightened risks of human rights violations, including enforced disappearances, experts say.

Human Rights violations in Nepal Human Rights Committee urges Nepal to remove obstacles that hinder victims of torture and forced labour.

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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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Universal health coverage High-level meeting on universal health hears that healthy societies are the key to unlocking sustainable development.

Justice in Asia Many lessons can be drawn from Asia's diverse approaches to the pursuit of accountability for severe human rights violations

Child Rights Convention For 30 years, the Convention on the Rights of the Child has been a powerful driver for change. We need to renew our commitment to children's rights.

Women's rights: where next? Universal social protection measures are powerful levers to reduce poverty, promote inclusion and establish lives of dignity, bringing greater equality for women and girls

Assisting Togo Nine years of human rights support to Togo nourished an enduring relationship – and brought many useful lessons for cooperation elsewhere

Nicaragua update Despite some improvement since the resumption of political dialogue in February, serious human rights concerns persist

Yemen update Conflict, disease, famine, economic collapse, probable war crimes and widespread human rights violations combine to create horrific misery and suffering in Yemen.

Global human rights update Michelle Bachelet's wide-ranging update to the Human Rights Council outlines human rights gains and setbacks across the world, and urges greater partnership

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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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Committee on the Rights of Child / 82nd Session From: 09-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

Human Rights Council / 42nd Session From: 09-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Pre-sessional Working Group / 12th Session From: 23-09-2019
To: 27-09-2019
Palais des Nations XVII

Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises / 24th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 04-10-2019
Palais des Nations XXI

Committee on the Rights of Child - Pre-sessional Working Group / 84th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 04-10-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Committee on Enforced Disappearances / 17th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 11-10-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / 66th Session From: 30-09-2019
To: 18-10-2019
PW Gr (30/9-11/10); PW 1st

Social Forum / 11th Session From: 01-10-2019
To: 02-10-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

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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

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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

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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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