News

26 Nov
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Support ISHR | Give back to humanity

This December, ISHR will raise money to provide invaluable skills and resources to courageous activists from around the world so they can share their hopes and agenda for a better world.

27 Nov
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Security Council | Are peace and security possible without women human rights defenders?

The expertise, insights and efforts of women human rights defenders are key to achieving a sustainable and effective response to conflict, says ISHR in a new report providing recommendations to the UN Security Council on how best to ensure such input is sought, heard and acted upon. 

05 Dec
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Thank you | ISHR December appeal donor board

A big thanks to everyone who’s getting behind our fundraising appeal and investing in a better world by supporting human rights defenders!

26 Nov
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Martin Ennals Award | Three outstanding women nominated for the 2020 Martin Ennals Award

Three exceptional women are the finalists for the 2020 Martin Ennals Award, a demonstration of the leading position now occupied by women in the defence of human rights. The 2020 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders will be presented to one of them on 19 February during a ceremony hosted by the City of Geneva which, as part of its commitment to human rights, has for many years supported the Award.

28 Nov
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République du Congo | Garantissez un environnement favorable aux défenseur.es des droits humains

En République du Congo, protéger les droits humains peut s’avérer être un réel défi. La société civile travaille dans un environnement où règnent les menaces, l’auto-censure et la peur des représailles. Un cadre juridique spécifique protégeant les défenseur.es serait une première étape importante vers la garantie d’un environnement de travail plus sûr.

Opinion:

Organes de traités | Quelles réponses dans un contexte de crise comme le Burundi ?

Read this article in English                                                                                                                           Lea este artículo en español aquí

Par Armel Niyongere, avocat  défenseur des droits humains, leader de la société civile burundaise pendant plusieurs années. Armel Niyongere représente souvent la société civile du Burundi dans la préparation et la présentation des rapports alternatifs devant les organes de traités.

Les organes de traités ont démontré leur capacité à prendre les bonnes mesures dans des situations de crise comme au Burundi. La coordination avec les instances supérieures des Nations Unies comme le Conseil de sécurité ou le Conseil des droits de l’Homme est nécessaire dans de telles situations.

Cet article a été initialement publié sur OpenGlobalRights le 27 novembre 2019.

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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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