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UN experts report a sharp rise in transnational repression linked to China and several Southeast Asian States, documenting at least 150 defenders, dissidents, members of marginalised groups, and family members targeted by violence, refoulement, legal harassment, and intimidation.

A coalition of 25 civil society organisations urges the Human Rights Council to pursue long-term, well-resourced reforms that strengthen—rather than shrink—its ability to respond to human rights crises.

In their interactive dialogues with the General Assembly’s Third Committee, treaty body chairs focused on critical obstacles preventing mandate fulfilment, including severely strained or non-existent financial and human resources leading to significant case backlogs.

During the 38th Human Rights Council special session on the human rights situation in and around El Fasher, in the context of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, ISHR delivered a joint statement with Sudanese Women’s Rights Action, and the Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa.

The 2025 Martin Ennals Award recognises three outstanding human rights defenders who have spearheaded justice initiatives in Brazil, Uganda and Tunisia against racism and corruption in public institutions. The UN High Commissioner for human rights will award the selected laureate during the ceremony to take place on 26 November 2025 in Geneva, Switzerland.

Throughout its 85th session, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) saw the periodic reviews of Egypt, Tunisia, and Botswana, a report by the fact-finding mission on Sudan, and panels on the elimination of racial discrimination, the externalisation of migration management, and the right to a healthy environment.

In line with its mandate to advocate for the protection of human rights defenders before international and regional mechanisms, ISHR presented the situation of defenders' protection on the continent.

While the actions of the decade are orientated on the reparation of Africans and people of African descents, the African Commission held a panel to assess the implementation of the recommendations with a focus on human rights.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in civil war. In view of the unheeded calls for a ceasefire and the alarming violations of human rights, the African Commission conducted a virtual joint fact-finding mission on the situation in the country.

Insecurity and violent extremism, particularly in Africa's Sahel region, are prompting States to adopt counter-terrorism measures. However, in many cases, these measures are also used to restrict rights and criminalise the the work of defenders.

As part of the 85th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the Working Group on Extractive Industries, the Environment, and Human Rights convened a panel on the right to the environment in Africa.