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Afghanistan report: torture in detention
Gender-based violence
Aneta Genova
Stand up for human rights

Shaping greater justice, equality and dignity across the world

Today’s threats to human rights – and human life – are connected ; but so are the solutions, the High Commissioner tells law students in Washington DC.
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Working to eradicate torture in Afghanistan

Rates of torture and ill treatment for conflict-related detainees in Afghanistan have declined since 2016, according to a new report from UN Human Rights. However, there is still a long way to go to fully eradicate the practice.
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Experts recognise sexual and gender-based violence amounting to torture

Recognising that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) may amount to torture empowers victims to seek redress and rehabilitation as well as holds States accountable for better provision for victims, said Gaby Oré Aguillar, a member of the Board of Trustees the UN Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture.
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I fight for the rights of the most vulnerable

Aneta Genova Mircheva doesn’t think of herself as a human rights defender. Yet as a member of Validity, an international NGO that uses the law to secure equality, inclusion and justice, she fights for the rights of those with mental disabilities in Bulgaria.
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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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Bahrain: Mass terrorism convictions Bachelet expresses alarm about Bahrain’s High Criminal Court decision sentencing 139 men to between three years and life in prison, and revoking the nationalities of all but one.

Afghanistan: Some progress in torture eradication UN Human Rights chief says that policies put in place to combat torture and ill-treatment are having effect – but they are far from being sufficient

Nicaragua: Anniversary of protests Bachelet urged Government to ensure security for people to assemble peacefully and express their views in accordance with their rights under international law.

UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to meet Andorra, Guatemala, Hungary, Lithuania, and Zambia to be reviewed by human rights expert committee.

Committee Against Torture to meet in Geneva Independent human rights experts to review Benin, the DRC, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Volatile moment for Sudan The crisis in Sudan has its roots in human rights grievances – economic, social, civil and political rights. The solution must also be grounded in human rights.

Sudan Experts condemn reports of excessive use of force against peaceful protesters in Sudan. While taking note of the latest reports that a military council is being formed, the experts called on authorities to respond to the legitimate grievances of the people.

Committee on Rights of Migrant Workers publishes findings Albania, Guatemala, Libya and Tajikistan reviewed by independent expert committee.

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Nicaragua: Anniversary of protests Bachelet urged Government to ensure security for people to assemble peacefully and express their views in accordance with their rights under international law.

Volatile moment for Sudan The crisis in Sudan has its roots in human rights grievances – economic, social, civil and political rights. The solution must also be grounded in human rights.

Libya attacks Attacks near Mitiga Airport left many civilians in Tripoli stranded.

Bachelet in Mexico Bachelet statement at the end of her visit to Mexico.

Mexico OHCHR and Mexican Government sign agreement on Ayotzinapa case.

Myanmar violence We condemn what appears to be indiscriminate attacks and attacks directed at civilians by Myanmar military and armed fighters in context of ongoing fighting with ethnic Rakhine Arakan Army.

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El Salvador Special Rapporteur on promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence will visit to El Salvador from 24 April to 3 May.

Privacy and children Expert calls for coordinated global efforts to simultaneously protect and empower children with respect to the online environment.

Mozambique UN expert to assess human rights situation of older persons in Mozambique.

Timor-Leste Expert says impressed by the pride Timorese take in their cultural heritage and how indigenous practices have translated into important gains in environmental protection and biodiversity.

Tunisia Tunisia must take urgent steps to ensure that the right to education is met for all citizens, says expert.

Canada disabilities Canada must make urgent systemic change to ensure people with disabilities can enjoy all their human rights, says UN disability rights expert Catalina Devandas.

Children's rights UN experts mark the fifth anniversary of a landmark treaty on children's rights by urging wider ratification of the protocol.

Greece: Gender equality is a human right Experts say Greece must prioritise gender equality in its social and economic recovery.

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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.

Human Rights Council adopts 12 resolutions The Council adopted 12 resolutions.

Debate on technical assistance and capacity building The Council held a debate on technical assistance and capacity building after hearing the presentation of reports on technical assistance.

High Commissioner and Secretary-General reports The Council heard the presentation of reports on country situations in Colombia, Cyprus, Guatemala, Honduras, Iran, the situation of Rohingya in Myanmar, on Venezuela and Yemen.

Situation in the Central African Republic The Council held a high-level interactive dialogue on the evolution of the human rights situation in the Central African Republic.

Dialogue on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka The Council held a dialogue on the situation of human rights in Sri Lanka and concluded an interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in Ukraine.

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UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to meet Andorra, Guatemala, Hungary, Lithuania, and Zambia to be reviewed by human rights expert committee.

Committee Against Torture to meet in Geneva Independent human rights experts to review Benin, the DRC, Germany, Mexico, South Africa, and the United Kingdom.

Committee on Rights of Migrant Workers publishes findings Albania, Guatemala, Libya and Tajikistan reviewed by independent expert committee.

Children's rights UN experts mark the fifth anniversary of a landmark treaty on children's rights by urging wider ratification of the protocol.

Sri Lanka: Torture prevention body concludes visit International independent experts examined the safeguards in place for the protection against torture and ill-treatment of people deprived of their liberty.

Disability rights experts issue findings Cuba, Niger, Norway, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Spain, Turkey, and Vanuatu reviewed by the Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances meets in Geneva Committee of 10 international independent human rights experts will review Chile, Italy and Peru.

Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture to visit Sri Lanka The four-member delegation will examine the safeguards in place against torture and ill-treatment in places of deprivation of liberty.

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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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Protecting human rights today Today’s threats to human rights – and human life – are connected ; but so are the solutions, the High Commissioner tells law students in Washington DC.

"One in 10 older persons endures monthly abuse" The High Commissioner addresses the General Assembly’s Working Group on Ageing.

Combatting impunity under international law Video statement to the International Conference on National, Regional and International Mechanisms to Combat Impunity and Ensure Accountability under International Law, in Qatar

Reprisals in Development Finance Over one thousand human rights defenders were killed over the last three years. This is a human rights emergency.

Human Rights and Development Trust Fund The World Bank’s example can have a powerful demonstration effect, within and beyond the world of development finance.

Women’s empowerment forum in India "Now that we have imagined equality, let’s make it reality," says High Commissioner Bachelet.

Corporate Responsibility Businesses have an important role to play in upholding human rights – particularly today, when some world leaders appear to be disengaging from their commitments.

Expert meeting on prevention Considering options to boost the Human Rights Council’s role in preventing violations.

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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

Migration

Migration, Human Rights and Governance: Handbook for Parliamentarians (co-published with IPU)

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Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination / 98th Session From: 23-04-2019
To: 10-05-2019
Palais des Nations Room XVI

Committee against Torture / 66th Session From: 23-04-2019
To: 17-05-2019
Palais Wilson 1st

Working Group on Arbitrary Detention / 84th Session From: 24-04-2019
To: 03-05-2019
Palais des Nations Room IX

Working Group on the Right to Development / 20th Session From: 29-04-2019
To: 03-05-2019
Palais des Nations Room V

Working Group on the Universal Periodic Review / 33rd Session From: 06-05-2019
To: 17-05-2019
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises / 23rd Session From: 13-05-2019
To: 17-05-2019
Palais des Nations Room XII

Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances / 118th Session From: 13-05-2019
To: 22-05-2019
Palais des Nations XXV

Committee on the Rights of Child / 81st Session From: 13-05-2019
To: 31-05-2019
Palais Wilson Gr

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