Read on to remain up to date with the latest international human rights news, views and developments!
As part of its 60th session, the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) conducted the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of the Republic of Guinea on 25 September 2025, marking an important opportunity to strengthen the protection of human rights defenders in the country.
In a statement delivered during the 60th session of the Human Rights Council, Cressida Kuala, a human rights defender from Porgera Red Wara (River) Women's Association in Papua New Guinea, urged the Council to ensure that development projects in the affected communities are based on genuine partnership, co-ownership and benefit sharing. Read and watch the full statement below.
Under item 4 of the General Debate, Palestinian Indigenous human rights defender Khulood Abu Obaid called on the Human Rights Council to address institutionalised racial domination and oppression, displacement, and denial of Palestinian rights. Read and watch the full statement below.
At the 60th Human Rights Council session, civil society organisations share reflections on key outcomes and highlight gaps in addressing crucial issues and situations. Full written version below.
UN report sheds light on procedural shortcomings in criminal proceedings against African and Afrodescendants.
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)'s report on reparatory justice recognises that reparations are necessary to dismantle systemic racism.
In the context of the presentation of a UN report on reparations, ISHR and Coalizão Negra por Direitos (CND) issued a joint statement urging States to fully implement the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA), the UN’s blueprint to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance globally.
On 3 October 2025, Ireland and Uruguay delivered a cross-regional statement on reprisals on behalf of 70 States and the European Union during a General Debate at the Third Committee of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
During HRC60 Item 10 Technical assistance and capacity-building for Yemen in the field of human rights, Yemeni woman human rights defender Abha Abdullah Baawedan delivered a joint statement on behalf of ISHR, the Justice4Yemen Pact Coalition, and DT Institute.
The public session of the 85th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR, or African Commission) will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 21 to 30 October 2025. The public session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will also be held in Banjul from 17 to 19 October 2025.
Our new case study shows how human rights defenders, mobilising to demand accountability for Africans and people of African descent and confronting systemic racism and police violence in the US and worldwide, have achieved tangible impact at the UN. Discover how their coordinated efforts raised awareness and generated significant recognition within the UN.
The UN General Assembly’s principal human rights committee—the Third Committee—has kicked off its deliberations. This year’s session will run for 7 weeks from 3 October to 21 November 2025. The Committee will be chaired by the Permanent Representative of Thailand. We present some key issues on the agenda below.
