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40 actions to celebrate ISHR’s 40th anniversary
We are celebrating longstanding and collective efforts in supporting human rights defenders. Join us and find out more!
©Photo: based on Sandra Seitamaa / Unsplash
The UN Human Rights Council should act urgently to mandate mechanisms to monitor, report on, and promote accountability for Russia's gross human rights violations.
UPDATE [4 March]! In a landmark decision, the UN Human Rights Council has voted overwhelmingly to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and promote accountability for human rights violations and abuses associated with Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.
The mandate of the Commission extends to considering the facts, circumstances and root causes of violations, which may enable it to also consider the repressive human rights situation in Russia itself.
Russia and Eritrea were the only States of the Human Rights Council’s 47 Member States to oppose the resolution, which enjoyed overwhelming support from States from all world regions.
ISHR condemns and deplores Russia’s unprovoked and illegal war of aggression in Ukraine.
This war has and will result in massive human rights violations.
ISHR supports the call for an Urgent Debate on the situation at the earliest possible moment at the 49th session of the UN Human Rights Council, which starts in Geneva on 28 February 2022.
That debate should unequivocally condemn Russia’s violations of international law, including international criminal law, international human rights law and the UN Charter.
The debate should lead to the adoption of a resolution which, at a minimum:
We stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and all those who defend human rights.
We are celebrating longstanding and collective efforts in supporting human rights defenders. Join us and find out more!
During an Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan on 19 June, in which he presented his most recent report to the UN Human Rights Council, ISHR made a statement noting that the pursuit of justice for women and girls in Afghanistan demands a multifaceted approach including various accountability mechanisms.
Human rights defenders and journalists face increasing threats and attacks due to acts of transnational repression, according to a new report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression. Host States must increase protection and support for victims of transnational repression, as well as investigate and pursue accountability where such acts occur.