This week ECOSOC members could break years of deadlock for civil society participation at the UN through a vote that would give consultative status to six civil society groups.
In order for the international human rights system to function to its fullest potential, human rights defenders must be able to share crucial information and perspectives, safely and unhindered. However, many defenders still face unacceptable risks and are unable to cooperate safely with the UN.
Following the 25 October 2021 military coup in Sudan, Sudanese, African, and international civil society organisations are calling on the UN Human Rights Council to convene a special session to address the crisis in the country.
Niger is one of the few States in Africa to fulfill its reporting obligations to the African Commission on time. In that regard, the Republic of Niger, after its previous review in 2017, submitted its 15th Periodic Reports covering the period 2017-2019. The report presents the progress made by the country regarding the state of human rights in Niger.
The 65th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), the intergovernmental body dedicated to gender equality, came to a close on Friday after negotiations stretched into its final day. While the reconfirmation of commitment to gender equality was encouraging, progress on women human rights defenders was conservative. It is essential that commitments are now backed by action.
The expertise, insights and efforts of women human rights defenders are key to achieving a sustainable and effective response to conflict, says ISHR in a new report providing recommendations to the UN Security Council on how best to ensure such input is sought, heard and acted upon.
The fast-approaching 2020 review of the treaty body system by the General Assembly underpinned the annual reports of the treaty body Chairpersons to the Third Committee. The lack of funding emerged as a crucial issue at the heart of the strengthening process.
ISHR has asked the UN Human Rights Committee to rule that the Maldives violated international law by restricting the Maldives Human Rights Commission from submitting information to the UN.
Defenders are crucial to the work of the UN Security Council. They bring critical information and perspectives regarding human rights situations on the ground and the Security Council depends on that knowledge and input to make informed decisions. However, many defenders face unacceptable risks and are unable to cooperate safely with the Security Council. In a new Policy Brief, ISHR sheds light on the situation of intimidation and reprisals related to the engagement of human rights defenders with the Security Council and provides concrete recommendations on how to prevent and address reprisals and intimidation in relation to that engagement.
Defenders are crucial to the work of the UN Security Council. They bring critical information and perspectives regarding human rights situations on the ground and the Security Council depends on that knowledge and input to make informed decisions. However, many defenders face unacceptable risks and are unable to cooperate safely with the Security Council. In a new Policy Brief, ISHR sheds light on the situation of intimidation and reprisals related to the engagement of human rights defenders with the Security Council and provides concrete recommendations on how to prevent and address reprisals and intimidation in relation to that engagement.
