Governments which espouse a commitment to promoting gender equality, supporting human rights defenders, or combating racial and religious discrimination should show courage, integrity and resolve to address widespread human rights violations in countries including Saudi Arabia, the Philippines and China, or risk acquiescing in impunity and fueling further abuses.
A landmark joint statement condemning Saudi Arabia and calling for the release of arbitrarily detained women's rights activists has punched a hole in the wall of impunity and shown the progress that is possible through principled action based on shared values.
Iceland is seeking election to the UN Human Rights Council to fill the seat left vacant by the withdrawal of the US. If elected, Iceland will use its seat to promote women's rights and LGBTI rights, to address country situations of concern, and to push for incremental reform of the Council to deliver justice to victims of violations, writes Minister for Foreign Affairs Gudlaugur Thór Thórdarson.
ISHR has published a ‘scorecard’ for Iceland that is seeking election to the UN Human Rights Council for 2018-2019.
