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The two independent UN anti-torture expert bodies, the Committee Against Torture and its Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture, publicly 'deplored Nicaragua's refusal to cooperate', and publish confidential report in an unprecedented move. Over the past year, Nicaragua has refused to undergo reviews by six UN committees on torture, women's rights, racial discrimination, civil and political, and economic, social and cultural rights.

The Escazú Agreement is the first legally binding instrument in the world to include provisions on environmental human rights defenders. Environmental defenders of Latin America and the Caribbean have just concluded the first official meeting to define how to realize those promises made to enable and protect their work.

As we celebrate the International Day for Ending Violence Against Women and WHRDs Day during the 16 days of activism to End Violence Against Women, we salute the courageous Sudanese women fighting for freedom and equality. We stand in solidarity with their struggle for democratic change, justice and peace.

In landmark ruling, the UN’s committee on racial discrimination has strongly condemned China’s persecution of Uyghurs, and decided, for the first time ever, to refer the situation to the UN Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect. Reiterating the most serious concerns expressed by the UN’s Human Rights Office and UN independent experts, the committee reminded governments of their obligation to put an end to the most serious human rights violations wherever they occur, in particular racial discrimination.

'We should not allow intimidation to take us away from our work. If we seek local remedy and there is no way, we should be able to at least get to regional and international mechanisms that will compel governments to conform to our work.'

On 22 October the International Federation of Action by Christians for the Abolition of Torture (FIACAT), Agir Ensemble pour les Droits Humains (AEDH), Tournons la Page, Synergie Ukingo Wetu (SUWE) and SOS Information Juridique Multi Sectorielle (SOS-IJM) organised a side event on the state of civic space in Africa and how to better protect it.

With companies, investors, consumers, and campaigners unequivocally united in their support for a Business, Human Rights and Environment Act, it is high time the UK Government got on board.

This December, the International Service for Human Rights is fundraising to support defenders around the world with valuable skills and resources to achieve meaningful change.

On 24 October, the Centre for Justice and International Law (CEJIL), Redress, Center for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), Defend Defenders, Institute for Human Rights and Development in Africa (IHRDA) and RFK Human Rights officially launched the Esperanza Protocol on the margins of the ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights.

Over 40 human rights NGOs urge the government of Zimbabwe to desist from targeting and negatively profiling civil society organisations, which provide invaluable services to the people of Zimbabwe and play a vital role in ensuring good governance in the country.