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Human Rights Day 2021- Equality
Human Rights Day 2021
16 Days of Activism: FGM in Liberia
Youth and human rights
Stand Up for Human Rights

World’s Best Mayor: “Poverty makes the realization of human rights impossible”

Philippe Rio is the mayor of Grigny, one of the poorest towns in France. In 2021, he won the prize of the World’s Best Mayor, in recognition of his work to fight inequalities and advance the human rights of his constituents. “It is a reward for the community and a huge kick to fatalism” Rio said, praising his constituents for their solidarity efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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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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Liberian mother calls for end to forced initiations and secret harmful practices

When Deborah Parker’s 15-year-old daughter was taken by force from her home in Liberia and forced to join a secret society, whose initiation included female genital mutilation (FGM), she publicly called for her return, upending generations of secrecy.
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Landmark agreement to promote and protect the human rights of youth in conflict

UN Human Rights, Education Above All Foundation and Silatech join forces to work with and for youth - especially those affected by conflict, violence and insecurity - to promote and protect their rights and build more equitable, peaceful and prosperous societies.
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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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Kashmiri human rights defender Concerns at the arrest of Kashmiri human rights defender Khurram Parvez under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA)

COVID vaccine concerns Omicron and other new COVID variants underline urgency to prioritize health and equality over profits and vaccine hoarding, say experts

Burkina Faso, Niger missions Bachelet today begins an official mission to Burkina Faso, followed by one to Niger from 1-4 December, with a range of human rights issues on the agenda, including the impacts of climate change and armed conflict.

India farm laws Expert welcomes India's decision to repeal three contentious farm laws that sparked protests which left 600 people dead, and urges Government to ensure accountability for casualties.

Indonesia: Defenders harrassed Indonesia must immediately stop using criminal laws to harass four human rights defenders who have spoken out against alleged corruption, says expert.

Iran execution We condemn the execution today in Iran of Arman Abdolali, who was below the age of 18 at the time of his alleged crime. We call on Iran to halt all executions of juvenile offenders

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.

Nepal: Transitional justice We urge Nepal, 15 years after the end of the decade-long conflict, to pursue a truly fair, comprehensive and transparent transitional justice process which can form the basis for lasting peace in the country.

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

Iran execution We condemn the execution today in Iran of Arman Abdolali, who was below the age of 18 at the time of his alleged crime. We call on Iran to halt all executions of juvenile offenders

Honduras elections Bachelet expresses deep concern about political violence in Honduras, which has already claimed 29 lives, and calls on the authorities to ensure Sunday’s elections are peaceful, transparent and genuine.

Zhang Zhan We are very concerned about the rapidly deteriorating health of Zhang Zhan, whose life is reported to be at serious risk from a hunger strike she is currently conducting in protest at her conviction in December 2020 for documenting the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Russia “foreign agents” law We are concerned that legal action is under way seeking to close down Memorial, among Russia’s most respected human rights groups. We urge the Russian authorities to abolish the “foreign agents” law or substantially amend it, in line with the country’s human rights obligations.

Ethiopia detentions We are concerned that arrests have been continuing over the last couple of weeks in Ethiopia as police invoke the excessively wide provisions of a state of emergency declared on 2 November to arrest, search and detain people.

Adama Dieng designated as expert on human rights in Sudan UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on Friday designated Adama Dieng as an expert on human rights in Sudan, following a request from the UN Human Rights Council.

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Egypt Experts call on Egypt to halt misuse of counter-terrorism measures against civil society activists, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders

Lebanon rights defender Lebanon must immediately cease threats and intimidation of Mohammad Ahmad Samir Sablouh, a human rights defender and lawyer, says expert

Minorities Forum The UN Forum on Minority Issues takes place on December 2-3. Topic: Conflict prevention through protection of human rights of minorities

End Slavery Effects of current global challenges such as COVID-19, economic crisis, climate change and armed conflict push increasing number of people into contemporary forms of slavery, say experts.

COVID vaccine concerns Omicron and other new COVID variants underline urgency to prioritize health and equality over profits and vaccine hoarding, say experts

Italy UN Special Rapporteur on toxics and human rights will visit Italy from 30 November to 13 December.

Portugal The UN Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent to carry out fact-finding visit to Portugal from 29 November to 6 December.

Uzbekistan UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while counter-terrorism will visit Uzbekistan from 29 November to 7 December.

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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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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.

Committee on Enforced Disappearances to visit Mexico Committee on Enforced Disappearances will make a country visit to Mexico from 15 to 26 November to identify the means to tackle enforced disappearances.

CERD to review Chile, Denmark, Singapore, Switzerland and Thailand The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination will hold its upcoming session to review Chile, Denmark, Singapore, Switzerland and Thailand.

Human Rights Committee’s findings The UN Human Rights Committee today issued its findings on Germany, Ukraine, Armenia and Botswana.

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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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Business Opening the annual Forum on Business and Human Rights, the High Commissioner emphasised the need to uphold the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights amid the turmoil of today's challenges, from climate change to growing inequalities, as well as the shrinking civic freedoms which undercut societies' ability to thrive

Women and peace At an event in Seoul, the High Commissioner cited Afghanistan and Myanmar in a discussion of why women's participation is crucial to peace and security – and continued setbacks to that principle.

Freedom of religion Speaking at an event to mark the 40th Anniversary of the UN Declaration on the elimination of all forms of intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief, the High Commissioner said that today, "the spectre of rising hatred on the basis of religion or belief" is alarming – and calls for strengthened action by all stakeholders to uphold the Declaration.

Discrimination Speaking to an event organised by the Russian Jewish Congress in Moscow, the High Commissioner emphasised the need to eradicate racism, anti-Semitism and xenophobia to enable humanity to deploy shared solutions.

Children with disabilities In a statement to a forum in Uzbekistan on children with disabilities, the High Commissioner emphasised the need for more inclusive education, to empower children with disabilities to claim and enjoy their human rights.

High Commissioner hails the courage of young activists Youth advocacy and activism have huge potential as a force for good and transformative change, the High Commissioner said. It is crucial to advance sustainable climate action and all human rights. States must take action to prevent and sanction the attacks, intimidation and harassment that many young activists face.

United Cities and Local Governments The High Commissioner addressed the UCLG World Council in Barcelona, where she discussed the importance of a more inclusive, multilateral approach to human rights including cities, local and regional governments. Stating that these local and regional governments are “at the front lines”

Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development The High Commissioner delivered a brief message to the 19th International Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development, where she welcomed the discussion in which young people would be contributing their views on how to overcome barriers to their sexual and reproductive health and rights

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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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Forum on Business and Human Rights / 10th Session From: 29-11-2021
To: 01-12-2021

Forum on Minority Issues / 14th Session From: 02-12-2021
To: 03-12-2021

Organizational session of the Human Rights Council for the 16th cycle (2022) / 16th Session From: 06-12-2021
To: 06-12-2021

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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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