Last month, human rights defenders from around the world excelled during ISHR’s flagship training– the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP24). For a week and a half, participants engaged with Special Procedures,diplomats and other stakeholders, read statements to the Human Rights Council, met with the OHCHR High Commissioner, Volker Turk, and more!
‘Human rights organisations, activists and defenders only exist to ensure that all persons can live with dignity,' says Oscar Calles. 'Do not turn your backs on the hundreds of victims who are still awaiting justice to this day,’ he further urges States at the UN Human Rights Council, calling on to renew a key accountability mechanism for Venezuela.
During the annual Panel on the adverse effects of climate change on human rights, woman human rights defender Yannia Visuetti gave a strong statement about the situation in Latin America.
At the Human Rights Council, the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism called for a second International Decade for People of African Descent, exchanging with States and defenders on ways promote racial equity.
Between 9 and 11 July 2024, ISHR together with Colombian partners Asosciaciación Minga, the Colombian Commission of Jurists and the Somos Defensores Program organised a cross regional discussion on protection mechanisms for human rights defenders.
'With everything happening around the world, the international community may be stretched thin, but it’s very important to look at places that may not have as much public visibility.'
On 4 July, Volker Türk presented his office’s report on the situation in Venezuela to the Human Rights Council, giving States a key opportunity to publicly hold the Maduro government accountable for their record ahead of a likely tense presidential election, later this month.
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.
The Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination called on France to respect the demands of the Kali'ña Indigenous community in the village of Prospérité, who oppose construction of a power plant in a location that deprives them of access to their land.
'From the time we grow up, our grandparents teach us to love nature and the environment, to respect rivers, lakes and mountains, because, as children, they explain to us that all of it is sacred.'
