Cedric Gelissen Photography
ISHR provides solidarity and support to defenders working in highly restrictive or repressive environments, and undertakes lobbying, advocacy and litigation to promote both State and non-State accountability for widespread and systematic threats, attacks, restrictions and reprisals against defenders.
For many human rights defenders, international and regional human rights laws and mechanisms have the potential to protect and amplify their work and impact on the ground. Indeed, for many defenders working in restrictive or repressive national contexts – such as China, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela – regional and international mechanisms may be among the only platforms available to demand justice, push for accountability, and contribute to positive change.
Civil society and diplomatic allies can also use such mechanisms to increase international pressure for change, such as the release of arbitrarily detained defenders, the repeal of restrictive laws and policies, or accountability for acts of intimidation and reprisals against defenders.
Through this programme, ISHR provides solidarity and support to defenders working in highly restrictive or repressive environments, and undertakes lobbying, advocacy and litigation to ensure that defenders are safe and free and to promote both State and non-State accountability for widespread and systematic threats, attacks, restrictions and reprisals against defenders.
Read our latest news on international accountability.
At the 56th session of the Human Rights Council adoption of the UPR outcome on Saudi Arabia, Lina Al-Hathloul delivered a joint statement on behalf of ALQST for Human Rights, ISHR and Global Citizen. Read and watch the statement below:
On Thursday 27 June 2024, during the 56th session of the Human Rights Council, director of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Stefanie Fox delivered a joint statement addressing the repression and criminalisation of those who advocate for the human rights of the Palestinian people, including through the weaponisation of antisemitism.
On 4 July, Volker Türk presented his office’s report on the situation in Venezuela to the Human Rights Council, giving States a key opportunity to publicly hold the Maduro government accountable for their record ahead of a likely tense presidential election, later this month.
At the adoption of the report of its fourth Universal Periodic Review (UPR), China ignored calls to implement UN findings and dismissed all serious criticism of its human rights record, refusing to budge on the documented plight of Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hong Kongers, human rights activists, lawyers, and more. We urged China to genuinely engage with the UN to enact meaningful reforms.
Civil society calls on the international community to protect civilians and to urge fighting parties to respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. This includes ending all forms of targeting of civilians on the basis of ethnic or political affiliations. Civil society further calls for fair trials and an end to the death penalty in Sudan.
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.
