Following the report of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders to the Human Rights Council, ISHR commended her work, denounced human rights violations and encouraged the next mandate-holder to continue the effective work of protecting defenders worldwide in collaboration with regional mechanisms.
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.
From 15 to 22 October, 16 defenders from across Africa took part in ISHR's capacity-strengthening programme on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) for the body’s 85th session.
In light of the UN’s liquidity crisis since 2024, ISHR compares when UN Member States are paying their assessed contributions to the UN’s regular budget over the period 2019-2025.
ISHR analysed how UN Member States voted at the General Assembly Fifth Committee over the past seven years (2018-2024) on initiatives that seek to defund Human Rights Council (HRC) resolutions establishing investigative mechanisms on specific countries. None of these initiatives have so far been successful.
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.
‘Environmental conservation requires the involvement of local communities living close to natural resources. These communities are key to effective protection and should be included in all decision-making processes to ensure their livelihood.’
Last month, human rights defenders from around the world excelled during ISHR’s flagship training, the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP). For a week and a half, participants engaged with Special Procedures, diplomats and other stakeholders, delivered statements to the Human Rights Council, met with the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and more!
ISHR has published ‘scorecards’ for States seeking election to the UN Human Rights Council for 2025-2027 to help inform voting States’ decisions in the upcoming election.
