Read on to remain up to date with the latest international human rights news, views and developments!
The public session of the 89th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) will be held in Dakar, Senegal, from 12 to 21 October. The public session will be preceded by a training session organised jointly by ISHR, Front Line Defenders and Defend Defenders on 6, 7 and 11 October, and the NGO Forum, organised by ACDHRS from 8 to 10 October.
On 28 September, a delegation from the Government of Sierra Leone presented its fourth report under the Universal Periodic Review to the Human Rights Council. Of the 310 recommendations received, Sierra Leone 'took note' of 39 and accepted 271, of which 19 on the protection of human rights defenders and their working environment.
On 28 September, a delegation from Seychelles presented its fourth report under the Universal Periodic Review to the Human Rights Council. Of the 199 recommendations received, Seychelles 'took note' of 12 and accepted 186 of which four on the protection of human rights defenders and their working environment.
On 25 September, a delegation from the Government of Niger presented its report to the Human Rights Council as part of the fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review. Of the 265 recommendations received, Niger took note of 11 and accepted 254, including 23 relating to the protection of human rights defenders and their working environment.
Relatives of Sahrawi human rights defender Naâma Asfari have alerted that he and eight other detained activists have renewed their hunger strike on 23 September 2026.
In its annual discussion on the UN Secretary-General’s report on reprisals against individuals seeking to cooperate with the organisation, States heard the specifics of cases that involved countries in all regions – including eight sitting members of the Council.
ISHR calls on States to renew the mandate of the Working Group on peasants, preserving a dedicated UN mechanism to support implementation of the rights of those working in rural areas.
UN human rights experts released a landmark statement urging States, businesses, INTERPOL and international organisations to prevent and combat the spread of transnational repression, warning of its increasing impacts on human rights, democracy and the rule of law and those who take action to defend them.
In a joint statement published today, 21 civil society organisations - including ISHR - called for the renewal of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela.
Current efforts to achieve ‘efficiency’ across the UN in the wake of the organisation’s financial crisis have resulted in a reduction in both reporting expectations and available resources for Special Procedures mandates.
Ahead of the expected release of feminist journalist and prominent #MeToo activist Sophia Huang Xueqin on 18 September, ISHR and 59 other civil society organisations urge Chinese authorities to ensure her release and guarantee that she can exercise her human rights without surveillance, harassment, retaliation or other arbitrary restrictions.
State candidates to the Human Rights Council presented their pledges and responded to questions by civil society and other stakeholders on their human rights records, while elaborating on their vision to improve the work of the Council at ISHR’s and Amnesty International’s 16th annual event.
