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The transformative power of sport can unite us all

“The Olympic ideal is anchored in human rights: it embodies fairness, non-discrimination, respect and equal opportunities for all,” said Nada Al-Nashif, Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights at a high-level panel discussion on promoting human rights through sport and the Olympic ideal during the Human Rights Council.
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Anti-racism activists should be supported and protected- racial justice report

The groundswell of support across the world after the death of George Floyd in May 2020, and the continued activism of people of African descent, their communities, and others in standing up against racism across the world should be supported, says UN Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet, adding that their voices must be heard and protected.
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High Commissioner: Acknowledging and confronting historical legacies crucial for racial justice

UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet calls on States to acknowledge the legacies of enslavement, the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and colonialism and to engage in a concrete path towards racial equality and justice for Africans and people of African descent.
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Children’s right to privacy in the digital age must be improved

A new report presented to the Human Rights Council says that maximising children’s privacy in the digital age means acting in their best interests, actively seeking children’s views and treating those views seriously.
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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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Use of spyware Revelations regarding the apparent widespread use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists and others are extremely alarming

Cuba protests Bachelet calls for the prompt release of all those detained for exercising their rights to freedom of peaceful assembly, or freedom of opinion and expression.

Belarus crackdown Bachelet calls again on the Belarus Government to stop intimidating and harassing human rights defenders and journalists in the wake of Wednesday’s raids and arrests by the security forces.

Myanmar: COVID crisis Expert calls for emergency international engagement to address a “perfect storm” of factors that are fuelling the deepening COVID-19 crisis in Myanmar.

India mass evictions UN human rights experts call on India to halt evictions and demolition of homes that threaten to make 100,000 people homeless during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the midst of monsoon rains.

Israeli settlements concern Expert calls on international community to designate the creation of Israeli settlements as a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court.

Myanmar: “Reign of terror” Expert calls for urgent formation of “Emergency Coalition for the People of Myanmar“ to stop what he describes as military junta’s “reign of terror” in the country.

India: Death under custody We are deeply saddened and disturbed by the death of 84-year-old Father Stan Swamy, a human rights defender and Jesuit priest, following his arrest and prolonged pre-trial detention on terrorism charges.

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Use of spyware Revelations regarding the apparent widespread use of the Pegasus software to spy on journalists and others are extremely alarming

Eswatini unrest We are concerned at the potential for further unrest in Eswatini following recent protests. We urge accountability, and for the Government to open up a longer-term dialogue to air and address the public concerns.

Ramallah protests Bachelet urges Palestinian authorities to ensure the safety of protesters ahead of further demonstrations in Ramallah, following the violent suppression of protests by Palestinian security forces, both uniformed and plain-clothed, and other armed individuals.

Haiti: Prison conditions Report calls for urgent solutions to tackle inhumane and overcrowded prison conditions in Haiti, where prisoners often spend years subjected to ill-treatment and torture, many of them while still awaiting trial.

Mali violations Bachelet urges the Malian authorities to break the cycle of impunity and establish prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses, including those committed by the military.

Tigray killings The High Commissioner is outraged at the brutal murder of three Médecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) humanitarian workers in Tigray, Ethiopia. Humanitarian and human rights workers are civilians and as such can never be targeted. Perpetrators must be held accountable.

Canada Indigenous Peoples We welcome the adoption of a bill that affirms the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as applicable in Canadian law.

Yemen fighting We are seriously concerned at the continuing impact of fighting on civilians and the targeting of civilian objects in Marib Governorate in Yemen, as well as missile and drone strikes into Saudi Arabia that have hit civilian infrastructure.

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Venezuela Overly-strict application of U.S. sanctions against Venezuela endangers lives of cancer patients, say experts appointed by the Human Rights Council.

Mali slavery UN human rights experts criticize Mali for failing to prevent attacks on people regarded as slaves.

Myanmar Experts call for a stronger international response to military coup, including coordinated sanctions and an arms embargo against junta by an ‘emergency coalition of nations’

Egypt Expert dismayed at continued widespread arrest and extended pre-trial detention of human rights defenders in Egypt.

India Death in custody of Catholic priest Stan Swamy, a renowned human rights and social justice advocate for over four decades, will forever remain a stain on India’s human rights record, an expert says.

Myanmar: COVID crisis Expert calls for emergency international engagement to address a “perfect storm” of factors that are fuelling the deepening COVID-19 crisis in Myanmar.

Israel: Bedouin demolitions Expert condemns demolition by Israel of homes and property belonging to Palestinian Bedouin community of Humsa al-Baqai’a in northern Jordan Valley of occupied West Bank

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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

Secretary-General speech In a powerful speech to the Human Rights Council that focused on racism, women and the pandemic's impact on human rights, Antonio Guterres said "recovery gives us an opportunity to generate momentum for transformation"

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

Rwanda Rwanda’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

Myanmar Myanmar’s human rights record to be examined by Universal Periodic Review

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Myanmar: Children under siege Children’s rights in Myanmar are facing an onslaught that risks leaving an entire generation damaged, the CRC has warned.

Committee against Torture to review Belgium CAT will hold its upcoming session from 12 to 30 July 2021 during which it will review Belgium.

Turkey: Withdrawal from Istanbul Convention Turkey’s decision to withdraw from the Istanbul Convention is deeply regrettable and should be reversed, CEDAW said.

Vaccination for people deprived of liberty SPT has called on States to ensure that people deprived of liberty are included in national vaccination programmes against COVID-19, and to continue efforts to tackle overcrowding in detention.

Torture Victims of torture and those who help them seek their rights must be protected by governments, say UN experts.

Human Rights Committee to review Togo Human Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session from 28 June to 23 July 2021 during which it will review Togo.

Iran: Child offender execution Experts urge Iran to halt execution of young Iranian man scheduled for 28 June, saying he was a child at time of crime, and was reportedly tortured to force confession of guilt.

Rights of indigenous women and girls CEDAW will hold a day of general discussion online on 24 June to discuss the rights of indigenous women and girls.

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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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People of African descent At the General Assembly review of the International Decade for People of African Descent, the High Commissioner emphasised the need for far stronger action to advance racial justice and equality in all fields of life.

Fighting impunity Fighting impunity effectively and consistently is “central to upholding human rights,” the High Commissioner stressed, noting that victims of violations have a right to truth, justice and redress. Speaking at the Annual Venice Conference on the Global State of Human Rights, she added that the rule of law is essential to ensuring sustainable and lasting peace.

Nelson Mandela Moot Court The High Commissioner spoke at the closing ceremony of the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court and thanked all participants for their “much needed interest and dedication to human rights.”

Rights in Africa Speaking to an event in Guinea to honour the influence of Hernan Santa Cruz, the High Commissioner said the synergy of human rights "can help to unlock the transformation of African economies" and sound recovery from the pandemic.

Systemic racism The High Commissioner presented her Office's report on the the human rights of Africans and of people of African descent and excessive use of force and other human rights violations by law enforcement officers. The report presents recommendations for ways to "achieve transformative change and end profound injustices, inflicted for generations."

Ukraine The Deputy High Commissioner presented to the Human Rights Council two reports on Ukraine, both based on the work of the Office’s Human Rights Monitoring Mission the country. The first is on “Arbitrary detention, torture and ill-treatment in the context of armed conflict in eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2021” and the other on the “Situation of human rights in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Ukraine”.

Health and Justice At the Berlin Forum on Chemicals and Sustainability, the High Commissioner made an empassioned call for action to ensure the well-being of people and our planet, including a human rights-based approach to the management of chemicals and wastes.

Faith For Rights Speaking at a side event to the High Level Political Forum, the High Commissioner discussed the Global Pledge for Action by religious actors and faith-based organizations to address the pandemic in collaboration with the United Nations.

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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 / 48th Session From: 13-09-2021
To: 01-10-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 39th Session From: 01-11-2021
To: 12-11-2021
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

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

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Jurisprudence Database

Access jurisprudence emanating from the United Nations Treaty Bodies that receive and consider complaints from individuals.

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