Take action

The Committee on NGOs – which determines which NGOs can or cannot participate in UN meetings – will face elections in April 2026. Join ISHR’s campaign to ensure States nominate and vote for candidates who will defend civil society’s access to and participation in the UN!

We need a new Special Rapporteur for human rights defenders highly qualified and independent!

This year, 14 countries are candidates for election to the UN's main human rights body. All countries must improve their records. Join our campaign for the Human Rights Council elections!

We call on Venezuelan authorities to immediately and unconditionally release Eduardo Torres, Rocío San Miguel, Javier Tarazona, Kennedy Tejeda and every human rights defender unfairly detained in Venezuela.

Some States use travel bans as a reprisal against human rights defenders who cooperate with the United Nations. These acts of retaliation are designed to isolate, intimidate, and silence them. Join us in our campaign to #EndReprisals and end travel bans against defenders.

We call on Venezuelan authorities to disclose the fate and whereabouts and immediately and unconditionally release the Executive Director of Espacio Público, Carlos Correa, arbitrarily detained and forcibly disappeared by individuals believed to be connected with State security forces.

Join our campaign to make sure States at the UN renew the Fact Finding Mission and OHCHR mandates on Venezuela in September 2024.

19 countries are running for a seat at the Human Rights Council. All of them need to improve their human rights record. Join us to make sure the Council remains strong and principled and that Member States do NOT elect Saudi Arabia!

Imagine determined individuals speaking up for what’s right for their communities, and then facing intimidation, threats and even imprisonment when they engage with the United Nations. This is not acceptable. Help us safeguard their voices and freedom. Join our campaign to #EndReprisals!

In March 2014 Chinese woman human rights defender Cao Shunli was a victim of deadly reprisals for engaging with the United Nations. In March 2024, the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and partners paid her tribute and honoured other Chinese, Uyghur, Tibetan and Hong Kong human rights defenders who continue to hold the Chinese government accountable.

ISHR and partners continue to call for meaningful action by States at the UN to advance accountability for past and ongoing crimes under international law.

17 countries are running for a seat at the Human Rights Council. All of them need to improve their human rights record. Join us to make sure the Council remains strong and principled!