Read on to remain up to date with the latest international human rights news, views and developments!
ISHR has joined dozens of national, regional and international NGOs expressing concern at the attempts of the government to restrict the right to protest of Guatemalan human rights defenders.
This week, Venezuelan delegates repeatedly took the floor to discredit members of the Human Rights Committee during the review of Venezuela’s compliance with its obligations under the Covenant. Committee members called for protection for themselves and highlighted concerns about reprisals against civil society.
The UN General Assembly voted in 15 new members of the Human Rights Council today. Though they elected China and Burundi in closed, uncompetitive races, States voted against Russia’s return despite Moscow’s sustained pressure.
On 6 October, Michel-Ange Joseph, president of the Chilean organisation Fundación Cónclave Investigativo de las Ciencias Jurídicas Y Sociales (CIJYS), delivered a joint statement with ISHR.
Environmental defenders from across Latin America and the Caribbean came together last week for the 2nd Forum on human rights defenders (Escazú Agreement) making evident their indispensable role in defending life on earth. To make Escazú meet their needs and expectations, the mechanisms to support implementation must receive adequate funds.
The policy to silence and quash opposition to the Venezuelan government continues, says the UN’s body of experts on Venezuela in its report to the Human Rights Council.
The Guatemalan government rejects 40% of recommendations at crucial UN human rights review. Amidst a delicate electoral context, NGOs urge the government to cooperate in good faith with UN bodies and implement key recommendations to address attacks against human rights defenders, justice officials, and discrimination against Indigenous Peoples, women, and LGBTIQ+ persons.
After a two-month online course and over ten intense days in-person in Geneva, sixteen dedicated human rights defenders participating in ISHR’s 2023 Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP23) exchanged experiences, strengthened their skills, put them into practice, and built a network of allies in Geneva and across the globe.
This week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights will present his report on Venezuela, providing an overview of the human rights situation and the implementation of UN recommendations.
ISHR's flagship Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) continues with its in-person component - after an interactive online course - from Wednesday 14 June, with sixteen inspiring human rights defenders from around the globe traveling to Geneva to learn how to use the UN mechanisms for even greater impact on the ground.
On Environmental Day, ISHR submitted a petition to the UN Secretary-General signed by 492 individuals to support Nicaraguan Indigenous and environmental defender Anexa Alfred Cunningham who was forcibly exiled after participating in a UN meeting.
The NGO bill introduced in the Venezuelan National Assembly is a severe threat to civic space in the country, and will gravely limit defenders' ability to engage with international human rights mechanisms. Defenders should be supported and this bill withdrawn, write Calixto Avila (Provea) and Eleanor Openshaw (ISHR).
