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Human Rights Champion: Titouan Bernicot
Hate speech
UN Human Rights 2022 funding appeal
Women and peace
Human Rights Day 2021

A young conservationist is planting corals to restore the South Pacific Ocean

Titouan Bernicot, a marine conservationist from French Polynesia, has been working to restore depleting coral reefs in the South Pacific Ocean. “Corals are the rainforest of the seas, the ocean lungs. They are so important for our planet well-being and for us as humans,” he says.
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HC calls for decisive action as hate speech grows worldwide, exacerbated by COVID-19

Speaking to the Italian Senate's Extraordinary Commission against intolerance, racism, anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred and violence, the High Commissioner recommended specific reforms to build policies and narratives that emphasise our common humanity and rights.
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Bachelet outlines funding needs required to support her “agenda of rights”

UN Human Rights Chief, Michelle Bachelet, launches a USD 400.5 million funding appeal for 2022, urging States and private donors to support her “agenda of rights” through her Office’s 103 field presences, staff at headquarters, and global partners.
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Bachelet calls for increased support for women to participate in peace

Speaking to the Security Council, the High Commissioner said that in Afghanistan, Sahel countries, Myanmar and elsewhere, violations of women's rights “significantly undermine global efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace.”
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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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News

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Sudan visit postponed UN Expert Adama Dieng’s first visit ot Sudan has been postponed. Dieng calls on the authorities to share new dates as soon as possible. He will continue to engage with civil society and others, to closely monitor and assess the human rights situation.

Yemen conflict Amid a deeply concerning escalation of the conflict in Yemen, we call on all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian objects, in line with their obligations under international law. As has been shown time and time again, there is no military solution to this conflict.

Sudan clampdown The human rights situation in Sudan continues to be of serious concern, with peaceful protesters killed or injured on a near-daily basis by security forces, as well as a clampdown on critics of the authorities and on independent journalists.

Afghanistan: Women and girls Taliban leaders in Afghanistan are institutionalizing large scale and systematic gender-based discrimination and violence against women and girls, experts say.

Ethiopia We are alrmed by the multiple, deeply disturbing reports of civilian casualties and destruction due to airstrikes in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. At least 108 civilians have reportedly been killed and 75 others injured in just 14 days. We call for the protection of civilians.

Bosnia and Herzegovina / Serbia We are deeply concerned by incidents in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Serbia glorifying atrocity crimes and convicted war criminals and targeting certain communities with hate speech. The authorities must condemn and refrain from any advocacy of national, racial or religious hatred.

New UK bill discriminates Experts express serious concern over UK’s Nationality and Borders Bill, saying it breaches country's obligations under international law.

Syria: “Historic conviction” Bachelet hails the conviction by a German court of a senior Syrian intelligence official of crimes against humanity and urges other States to investigate and prosecute international crimes using principles of universal and extra-territorial jurisdiction.

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Kazakh protests Amid alarming reports of deadly violence in Kazakhstan, Bachelet urges all, including security forces, protesters and others, to refrain from violence and to seek a peaceful resolution of grievances.

Yemen: Detained staff UN Human Rights Office and UNESCO remain deeply concerned for the well-being of two staff members detained in early November in Sana’a, Yemen, with no communication possible with them since then. We call for their immediate release.

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Afghanistan: Women and girls Taliban leaders in Afghanistan are institutionalizing large scale and systematic gender-based discrimination and violence against women and girls, experts say.

Switzerland UN expert postpones visit to Brian K. after positive steps by authorities.

New UK bill discriminates Experts express serious concern over UK’s Nationality and Borders Bill, saying it breaches country's obligations under international law.

Switzerland Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent to visit Switzerland from 17 to 26 January.

Iran: Juvenile execution Experts dismayed by decision by Iranian authorities to proceed with execution of juvenile offender Hossein Shahbazi despite repeated calls to halt it.

Kazakhstan: Experts urge probe Experts call on Kazakhstan authorities and security forces to halt unrestrained use of force, including lethal force, against protesters.

Guantanamo Bay UN experts said the continued operation of Guantanamo Bay was a stain on the US Government’s commitment to the rule of law.

Cambodia Arrest and detention of at least 29 casino union leaders and activists during a strike that began on New Year’s Eve in Cambodia may amount to a breach of human rights law, UN experts say

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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.

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Burundi: Torture complaints Committee against Torture has deplored Burundi’s lack of cooperation in the individual complaints procedure.

End detention of migrants States have to immediately stop detaining migrant children and ultimately putting an end to the detention of all migrants.

Venezuela: Violation of due process guarantees Venezuela violated a jurist’s rights to be tried by an independent tribunal, the Human Rights Committee said

Mexico: Detention and torture of human rights defender CAT has called on Mexico to stop criminalizing legitimate human rights work, after deciding on the case of a human rights defender who was detained and tortured for a crime that he didn’t commit.

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.

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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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Hate speech Speaking to the Italian Senate's Extraordinary Commission against intolerance, racism, anti-Semitism and incitement to hatred and violence, the High Commissioner recommended specific reforms to build policies and narratives that emphasise our common humanity and rights.

Annual Appeal 2022 Presenting the Office’s Annual Appeal for 2022, the High Commissioner said that to work towards resilient societies where equal opportunities are universal, “the commitment of States is not only important, it is urgent.” This year’s Appeal is calling for a total of US$400.5 million

Women and peace Speaking to the Security Council, the High Commissioner said that in Afghanistan, Sahel countries, Myanmar and elsewhere, violations of women's rights “significantly undermine global efforts to prevent conflict and sustain peace.”

Sustainable Development The next years “will fundamentally test global human rights leadership” said Deputy High Commissioner Nada Al-Nashif. Speaking at the fourth Human Rights Council intersessional meeting focusing on Human Rights and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, she echoed the Secretary-General’s call for a ‘renewed social contract anchored in human rights.’

Ethiopia At a Special Session of the Human Rights Council on Ethiopia, the Deputy High Commissioner detailed alleged violations and abuses of human rights in the context of the conflict; growing humanitarian needs; and thousands of arrests, mainly of Tigrayans, under the state of emergency.

Ukraine Deputy High Commissioner Nada Al-Nashif briefed the Human Rights Council on multiple issues involving civic space and fundamental freedoms in Ukraine from 1 November 2019 to 31 October 2021, including in territory controlled by the Government, territory controlled by the self-proclaimed ‘republics’ in eastern Ukraine, and the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol

Nicaragua The Deputy High Commissioner updated the Human Rights Council on Nicaragua, especially on the electoral process and the elections held in November. She stressed that restrictions and human rights violations “created an environment unconducive to genuine and free elections.”

Afghanistan At a Human Rights Council briefing, Deputy High Commissioner Nada Al-Nashif detailed a wide range of severe human rights issues and said policies now “will define Afghanistan’s pathway into the future”.

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The UN Human Rights Appeal 2022

The UN Human Rights Appeal 2022

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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Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 40th Session From: 24-01-2022
To: 04-02-2022
Palais des Nations Room XX

Intersessional seminar on the negative impact of the non-repatriation of funds of illicit origin to the countries of origin on the enjoyment of human rights From: 08-02-2022
To: 08-02-2022

Intersessional panel discussion on the challenges and good practices in the prevention of corruption, and the impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic From: 15-02-2022
To: 15-02-2022

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

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UN Charter Body Database

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Universal Periodic Review

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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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