Site search

In a first-of-its-kind investigation into the closed-door negotiations of the UN’s budget in New York, ISHR uncovers how a small group of States - led by China and Russia - have coordinated efforts to block and slash funding for the UN’s human rights work through political manoeuvring and influence. At a moment of sweeping UN reform and financial crisis, these efforts - compounded by the US failure to pay their UN membership fees and outstanding debts - pose an existential threat to the UN’s human rights system.

Three years after the UN Human Rights Office found that human rights violations in the Uyghur region (Xinjiang) may amount to crimes against humanity, the High Commissioner admits little progress while civil society warns the Council’s credibility is at stake.

Ten years after the infamous ‘709 Crackdown’, Chinese authorities continue to target human rights lawyers and their relatives with detention, disbarment and harassment. Civil society worldwide joins hands to mark the crackdown’s tenth anniversary and renew calls for accountability.

In a statement at an interactive dialogue on the annual report of the High Commissioner, ISHR Executive Director Phil Lynch called on States to support the work of defenders and to pay their UN dues.

63 press freedom and human rights NGOs strongly condemn the Chinese government's ongoing arbitrary detention of journalist, human rights defender and former lawyer Zhang Zhan, on the 5th anniversary of her arrest.

In a report launched today, ISHR examines China’s efforts to restrict access for independent civil society actors and human rights defenders to UN human rights bodies. The report provides an analysis of China’s membership of the UN Committee on NGOs, the growing presence of Chinese Government-Organised NGOs (GONGOs), and patterns of intimidation and reprisals by the Chinese government.

In a new report, ISHR analyses China’s tactics to restrict access for independent civil society actors in UN human rights bodies. The report provides an analysis of China’s membership of the UN Committee on NGOs, the growing presence of Chinese Government-Organised NGOs (GONGOs), and patterns of intimidation and reprisals by the Chinese government.

ISHR is pleased to launch a Reprisals Toolkit in four languages, an essential tool for human rights defenders and all stakeholders concerned about intimidation and reprisals against those cooperating with international or regional human rights systems.

Over two years after a landmark UN committee ruling on the plight of Uyghurs, UN office on genocide prevention urged to take meaningful steps during HRC debate, as States are urged to avoid double-standards in acting upon early warning signs of atrocity crimes.

During the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC58), ISHR delivered a statement on behalf of Chinese feminist activists marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, highlighting the continued repression of women human rights defenders in China.