Latest updates

We are deeply saddened to learn of the death of Gustavo Gallón, a staunch ally of human rights and a former board member for ISHR.

At the 13th World Urban Forum, the first Indigenous Peoples Caucus called for recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights, including self-determination, meaningful participation, protection of Indigenous defenders and culturally appropriate housing.

In a statement at a panel on climate change and human rights, ISHR and the Institute for Political Economy Sri Lanka highlighted the ‘trap’ in which States could enter if not looking at climate financing with a human rights perspective.

The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women has released a draft general recommendation on dismantling gender stereotypes. ISHR's comments call for explicit recognition of the heightened risks facing women human rights defenders.

At a Human Rights Council debate with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan, ISHR delivered a joint statement with Sudanese Women’s Rights Action and the Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa.

At the last session of its current membership, the NGO Committee’s rate of approval for organisations awaiting consultative status dropped to a record low of 5% amidst continued politicisation of NGO engagement at the UN.

As the Human Rights Council marks its 20th anniversary and the General Assembly reviews its institutional status, HRC62 will be an important test of the Council’s credibility, accessibility and ability to respond to human rights crises. This briefing highlights key opportunities for States and civil society to strengthen civil society participation, address reprisals, uphold the integrity of the Universal Periodic Review, advance climate justice, and ensure principled scrutiny of serious country situations, including those that States should raise during relevant debates. It also provides a practical overview of entry points for civil society engagement during the session.

ISHR introduces a new on-line course on advocacy for environmental human rights defenders, a practical, self-paced resource for activists, community leaders, and allies to defend the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment using UN and regional mechanisms.

During its 87th session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) heard about the human rights situation on the continent, reviewed the periodic report of the Republic of Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, and of the Republic of Kenya, and held different panels to advance the protection of human rights on specific themes and countries.

ISHR drew attention to the deteriorating human rights situation across multiple African countries, with particular focus on the shrinking civic space and threats to human rights defenders.

During the 87th public session of the African Commission, ISHR expressed its concerns on the restrictions and reprisals against defenders and called the ACHPR to adopt measures ensuring the protection of defenders and their safe engagement with the ACHPR activities.

During the 87th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Sahrawi WHRD Yaguta-Fatma Moulay delivered a joint statement with ISHR and Frontline Defenders detailing the systematic repression faced by human rights defenders in the occupied territories of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR).