HRC59: ISHR calls for adoption of human rights defenders protection law in Madagascar
On 2 July 2025, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted Madagascar’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report, as part of its 59th session.
© Image by DavidRockDesign / Pixabay
Tell us where detainees are held, UN and IACHR experts urge Venezuela
Experts from the UN and Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have joined forces to urge Venezuela to determine the fate and whereabouts of victims of enforced disappearance and put an end to the abhorrent practice of enforced disappearance.
In their common press release, members of the UN’s Working Group on enforced or involuntary Disappearances and of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) note an increased use of forced disappearance to silence members of the opposition, or those perceived as such, as well as pro-democracy activists and human rights defenders.
During the Human Rights Council session, two specific agenda items focus on Venezuela: the interactive dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela (18 March) and the oral update with the High Commissioner on Human Rights, followed by a General Debate (20 March).
ISHR calls on States to use these opportunities to call on Venezuela to stop all enforced disappearances and bring the State-led repression against the Venezuelan people to an end.
Read the full press release here.
Related articles
16 defenders participated in ISHR's flagship training to advocate, influence, and build power at the UN
Sixteen activists completed the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme in Geneva to strengthen their advocacy skills. During the programme, they called for reforms to the UN human rights system, and helped secure the renewal of the expert mandate on sexual orientation and gender identity.
Angola: Repeal legislation that endangers freedom of assembly and association
On 1 July 2025, during the 59th session of the Human Rights Council, the Universal Periodic Review of Angola was adopted. The statement delivered by ISHR, in partnership with Kutakesa, highlighted the recent adoption of legislation jeopardising the freedom of assembly and association and imposing risks on the work of human rights defenders in Angola.