Read on to remain up to date with the latest international human rights news, views and developments!
The UN Secretary-General’s annual report on reprisals shows that ‘targeted repression across borders appears to grow in scale and sophistication’ against defenders who cooperated with the United Nations'. Notably, 10 of the 32 States reported to have retaliated against individuals or groups who sought to engage with the United Nations are sitting members of the Human Rights Council.
As world leaders gather for the UN General Assembly, over 270 civil society groups from across the globe issue an open letter urging Member States to safeguard international refugee, human rights, and humanitarian treaties from attacks by the US and other States.
Organisations from around the world condemn US and UK sanctions targeting human rights organisations and stand in solidarity with human rights defenders working to uphold international law in the face of Israel’s genocide and colonial apartheid against the Palestinian people.
During the HRC60 Interactive Dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Sudan on 9 September 2025, Manal Alawal, director of Peace and Human Dignity Organisation, delivered a joint statement by ISHR, Sudanese Women’s Rights Action (SURWA), the Regional Coalition for WHRDs in Southwest Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA) Coalition, and Peace and Human Dignity Organisation. Read and watch the statement below.
ISHR analysis of revised 2026 budget proposal for UN80 reform points to disproportionate cuts to chronically-underfunded human rights pillar. Governments from all regions should reverse cuts and ensure the UN human rights system - crucial to international peace, security and development - is adequately funded.
The UN Secretary-General published his annual report on reprisals, expressing concerns over the growing 'scale and sophistication' of 'targeted repression across borders' against human rights defenders. These acts are directly aimed at individuals and organisations engaging with the United Nations, and in some cases, their family members and colleagues.
Over a dozen organisations sent a joint letter to all States members of the Human Rights Council, calling for the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Russia. Read the letter below.
Candidate States to the Human Rights Council presented their pledges and responded to questions by civil society on their human rights records, while elaborating on their vision to improve the work of the Council at ISHR’s and Amnesty International’s annual event.
The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council will consider issues including acts of intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN, systemic racism, environment and climate justice, and the rights of Indigenous Peoples and people of African descent. It will also present an opportunity to address grave human rights situations in States including Afghanistan, Burundi, China, Israel/oPt, Nicaragua, Russia, Sudan and Venezuela, and many others. Here's an overview of some of the key issues on the agenda.
Over 80 Afghan and 20 international organisations, including ISHR, have sent an open letter to States of the Human Rights Council urging them to establish an accountability mechanism in Afghanistan.
ISHR is organising an in-person training to equip African defenders with the knowledge and skills to integrate the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights into their existing work at the national level in a strategic manner.
UN Special Procedures have called on Cameroon to tackle environmental and human rights abuses linked to mercury use in gold mining. Despite a national ban, mercury continues to contaminate waterways, devastating local ecosystems and biodiversity, and impacting health.
