News

09 Apr
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Bahrain | Immediately and unconditionally release Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja

ISHR joins human rights organisations from across the globe in calling for the unconditional and immediate release of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Abdul-Hadi al-Khawaja, who turned 60 on 5 April.

13 Apr
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Sénégal | Vers une meilleure protection des défenseur.es des droits humains ?

Les récentes manifestations au Sénégal ayant notamment causées la mort d’au moins cinq personnes ont ravivé la question de la protection des défenseur.es des droits humains. Pour en discuter, la société civile s’est réunie à Dakar lors d’un atelier de deux jours les 8 et 9 Avril 2021.

06 Apr
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NHRI | ISHR launches research on the potential of National Human Rights Institutions to serve as protection mechanisms for human rights defenders

ISHR is pleased to launch its latest research exploring the extent to which national human rights institutions could act as national protection mechanisms as part of the implementation of national human rights defender protection laws in selected West African countries.

09 Apr
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ACHPR68 | NHRIs’ Forum on the “Rights of indigenous women in Africa”

Beyond the discrimination and indignation that ordinary women suffer, indigenous women in Africa continue to be marginalised and denied the full recognition and protection of their rights. Decisively, the long-awaited National Human Rights Institutions’ (NHRIs) Forum organised by the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) convened on 8 and 9 April 2021 to discuss the role of NHRIs in promoting the realisation of indigenous women’s rights in Africa. The Forum was convened ahead of the 68th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human & Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR). The result of the deliberations was a final draft Statement on the “Rights of indigenous women in Africa” that will be submitted to the ACHPR.

06 Apr
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African Commission | Alert to the NGO Forum and the 68th ordinary session

The 68th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights will be held in online, from 14 April to 4 May 2021. The African Commission session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held online on 12 and 13 April 2021.

Opinion:

Burundi | La mobilisation internationale doit s'intensifier face à la persécution des défenseur.es des droits humains

Depuis avril 2015, le Burundi traverse une crise politique majeure, se caractérisant notamment par des violations massives et continues des droits humains. Une sortie du tunnel ne pourra s'effectuer que si la communauté internationale passe à la vitesse supérieure, tant dans le suivi de la situation, que dans l'utilisation des mécanismes de prévention et d'intervention pertinents.

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Mechanism

 
 
1984

ISHR commences work to develop an international Declaration on the Rights of Human Rights Defenders

1988

ISHR publishes first Human Rights Monitor, connecting human rights defenders on the ground with international human rights systems and developments

1993

ISHR facilitates global civil society engagement with the Second World Conference on Human Rights, which leads to the strengthening of women’s rights, the affirmation of universal rights, the adoption of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action and the establishment of the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

1994

ISHR provides training, technical assistance and support to its 1000th human rights defender

1998

After 14 years of ISHR lobbying, advocacy and negotiation, the UN General Assembly adopts the landmark Declaration on Human Rights Defenders

2000

UN Secretary-General appoints Hina Jilani as inaugural UN Special Representative on Human Rights Defenders, strengthening protection of human rights advocates at risk worldwide.

2004

ISHR leads a successful campaign for the appointment of a Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights

2005

ISHR co-founds and supports a range of international and regional human rights coalitions, including the Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition, the East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and the West African Human Rights Defenders Network

2006

ISHR contributes to the establishment and institution building of a new global peak body for human rights issues, the UN Human Rights Council

2007

ISHR leads and coordinates the development of the Yogyakarta Principles on sexual orientation and gender identity, strengthening legal recognition and protection of LGBT rights worldwide

2011

ISHR’s sustained advocacy on the issue of reprisals and intimidation faced by human rights defenders leads to adoption of landmark UN Human Rights Council resolution condemning and strengthening protections against reprisals

2012

Working with key NGO partners such as Amnesty International, ISHR leads civil society efforts to strengthen UN human rights treaty bodies, prevent their weakening and better connect their work with victims and human rights defenders on the ground

2013

Working with supportive states and NGOs, ISHR advocacy leads to adoption of historic Human Rights Council resolution calling on all States to review and amend national laws to respect and protect the work of human rights defenders

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About ISHR

The International Service for Human Rights is a non-governmental organisation dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights. We achieve this by supporting human rights defenders, strengthening human rights systems, and leading and participating in coalitions for human rights change. 

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