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Bachelet calls for leaders to "come to grips with root causes"

At a high-level discussion of humanitarian issues at the UN Economic and Social Council, the High Commissioner outlined work underway in Yemen, Myanmar and the Tigray province of Ethiopia, and urged a strong focus on human rights-based action for prevention
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Bachelet outlines implementation of SG's "challenging – and absolutely vital" Plan of Action

Opening the 47th session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner said the Secretary-General's Plan of Action creates "unprecedented leverage to deploy the force of partnerships" for human rights
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"Home is the people around you."

Meet Nhial Deng – refugee, peace-builder and human rights advocate. On the occasion of World Refugee Day, Nhial is calling for a rethink on how we talk about refugees and migrants.
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“There’s more that unites us than divides us”

As the media becomes increasingly saturated with negative images of migration, Zino Akaka and other young migrants are working with journalists to spark narrative change, and improve media coverage on migrants’ experiences.
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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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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.

Vatican: Child abuse claims Experts urge Holy See to take all necessary measures to stop and prevent the recurrence of violence and sexual abuse against children in Catholic institutions.

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.

Pakistan: Enforced disappearances We urge Pakistan to take all necessary steps to ensure the timely passage of a bill to criminalize enforced disappearances. This would a major step forward in addressing a key and longstanding human rights concern in the country.

Business & human rights On 10th anniversary of UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, experts call on all States and businesses to make implementation a top governance and policy priority

China: Experts denounce ‘organ harvesting’ Experts alarmed by reports of alleged ‘organ harvesting’ targeting minorities, including Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Muslims and Christians, in detention in China.

Myanmar violence Bachelet warns that escalating violence in Myanmar must be halted to prevent even greater loss of life and a deepening humanitarian emergency.

Mladic convictions Bachelet welcomes the decision to uphold the convictions of former Bosnian Serb army commander Ratko Mladic on multiple counts of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

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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.

Myanmar violence Bachelet warns that escalating violence in Myanmar must be halted to prevent even greater loss of life and a deepening humanitarian emergency.

Colombia: Violence in Cali Bachelet calls for dialogue and respect for human rights after new reports of deaths and injuries in Cali

Nicaragua elections Concerns over Nicaragua's chances of holding free elections due to measures taken by authorities.

Samoa OHCHR urges that the rule of law and democratic institutions in Samoa be respected and protected, and in particular the key role played by an independent judiciary.

Belarus: Roman Protasevich arrest We call for the immediate release of journalist Roman Protasevich and his girlfriend Sofia Sapega.

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Migrant ‘pushbacks’ States must immediately cease cruel and deadly practice of pushing back migrants, expert says.

COVID-19 Governments must do more to guarantee universal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, as pandemic hits Global South and persecuted groups hardest, says UN expert.

Bahrain Expert calls on Bahrain to immediately release three human rights defenders suffering long term detention as a result of their legitimate promotion and protection of human rights.

Vatican: Child abuse claims Experts urge Holy See to take all necessary measures to stop and prevent the recurrence of violence and sexual abuse against children in Catholic institutions.

Iran Experts condemn continued imprisonment of woman human rights defender and lawyer Nasrin Sotoudeh, and call for her immediate release.

Tunisia UN expert praises democratic progress since Revolution, says more needed for LGBT persons.

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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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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.

Spain violated the education right Spain violated the right to education of an eight-year old Moroccan boy in Melilla for not immediately admitting him to public school after his residency was confirmed.

CRC findings on Luxembourg and Tunisia Child Rights Committee (CRC) on Thursday issued its findings on Luxembourg and Tunisia

Coercive mental health measures UN human rights experts call upon the Council of Europe to withdraw the draft Additional Protocol to the Oviedo Convention

South Africa: Domestic Violence South Africa’s low levels of conviction in domestic violence cases and the frequent failures by the police to enforce protection orders, exposed survivors to repeated abuses and resulted in the violation of women’s fundamental rights. Country: South Africa

CRC to review Luxembourg and Tunisia The UN Child Rights Committee will hold its upcoming session from 17 May to 4 June to review Luxembourg and Tunisia.

CED’s findings on Switzerland, Colombia and Mongolia Committee on Enforced Disappearances on Tuesday issued its findings on Switzerland, Colombia and Mongolia.

CERD issues findings on Belgium CERD’s Concluding Observations on Belgium are now available online

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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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Female genital mutilation “Female genital mutilation is a serious human rights violation that affects women and girls everywhere in the world,” the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council. “We must act united against this dreadful practice,” she stressed.

Bachelet calls for leaders to "come to grips with root causes" At a high-level discussion of humanitarian issues at the UN Economic and Social Council, the High Commissioner outlined work underway in Yemen, Myanmar and the Tigray province of Ethiopia, and urged a strong focus on human rights-based action for prevention

Nicaragua "Since my latest report on Nicaragua to this Council on 23 February, my Office has observed a worrying and accelerating deterioration of the human rights situation," the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council

Iran The High Commissioner presented the Secretary-General's report on Iran to the Human Rights Council, calling it "a disturbing human rights landscape for Iranian women and men of every religious faith, ethnic origin, social class and other status"

Women Political Leaders "Women in leadership positions still face resistance, suspicion and even hostility, based on stereotypes about their capabilities and their place in society," the High Commissioner said in a video for the Women Political Leaders Summit. "Gender equality is an urgent imperative," she stressed.

Business Speaking to the International Organization of Employers, the High Commissioner emphasised that all States should develop action plan for implementing the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, with effective, mandatory due diligence rules

State response to pandemics “The central role of the State during pandemics and other health emergencies is to mount a robust health response while upholding human rights,” the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council. She presented her Office’s report regarding State’s response to pandemics and other health emergencies, and the socioeconomic consequences thereof.

Plan of Action Opening the 47th session of the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner said the Secretary-General's Plan of Action creates "unprecedented leverage to deploy the force of partnerships" for human 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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Human Rights Council / 47th Session From: 21-06-2021
To: 13-07-2021
Palais des Nations Room XX

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

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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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