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China and the UN Treaty Body System

In this briefing paper, ISHR looks at the powerful role of China over the UN human rights treaty bodies (UNTBs), identifying the ways in which China deploys influence, from an official discourse that consistently focuses on restricting their scope of work to direct threats to independent NGOs who wish to engage with the UN experts.

Briefing note: China and the UN Economic and Social Council

A new ISHR report, China and the UN Economic and Social Council provides an overview of the way in which China has extended its representation throughout the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and its subsidiary bodies and processes, enabling the Chinese government to significantly influence the UN’s development priorities and cooperation with civil society.

Treaty Bodies | Strengthening treaty bodies, protecting human rights

In 2020, the United Nations will review the functioning of the ten human rights treaty bodies.​ OpenGlobalRights and ISHR are publishing a series of op-eds to stimulate more discussion on ways to improve the work of the treaty bodies. Eleven of these op-eds are collated in a publication.

High Commissioner | Put human rights defenders up front

Making human rights a reality for all depends on the work of human rights defenders. Despite this, across the globe, the right to defend human rights is being systematically undermined. Promoting, protecting and advocating for the rights of defenders should be among the highest priorities of the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and her Office.