Read on to remain up to date with the latest international human rights news, views and developments!
At the 57th 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.
Led by a group of Latin American States and Canada, the United Nations Human Rights Council today extended the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission for Venezuela for two years, the mechanism’s third renewal since its creation in 2019.
Notwithstanding the Council’s sustained attention on Afghanistan and the adoption of a resolution renewing the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, the Council failed to adequately respond to the escalating human rights crisis and calls from civil society and women human rights defenders.
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In a joint statement delivered during the discussion on technical assistance and capacity-building to Yemen, organisations addressed the inaction of the international community to support a rights-based transitional justice amidst the escalating crackdown on civil society in the country.
The European Parliament adopted today an urgent resolution condemning Beijing’s persecution against Uyghurs, demanding the release of prominent figures Gulshan Abbas and Ilham Tohti. Following this landmark call, Abbas’ daughter, Ziba Murat, and ISHR urge EU leaders to step up EU action on the fate of Uyghurs at the United Nations.
In an almost entirely uncompetitive election, States at the UN General Assembly did not support Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to the Human Rights Council, halting the Kingdom’s push to play a larger role in human rights mechanisms in spite of its abysmal record.
On 27 September, the Council debated the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on reprisals against persons or individuals working or seeking to work with the United Nations – which this year flagged incidents involving 32 States.
The 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Commission, or ACHPR) will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 17 October 2024 to 6 November 2024. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will also be held in Banjul from 13 to 15 October 2024.
In a joint statement delivered during the adoption of Yemen's Universal Periodic Review (UPR), civil society organisations decried the crackdown on civil society taking place in the context of regional instability that feeds on impunity.
During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, human rights defender Mariam Al-Khawaja delivered a video statement calling on the Council to take effective measures to ensure the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including her father, human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, as well as Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, and political leader Hassan Mushaima.
The Third Committee, the UN General Assembly’s principal human rights committee, has just kicked off its deliberations. This year's session will run for seven weeks, from 3 October to 22 November 2024, and it will be chaired by the Permanent Representative of Burundi to the United Nations, Zéphyrin Maniratanga. Below is ISHR's outline of expected resolutions, reports and events related to human rights defenders and the strengthening of the UN human rights system.
