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SYSTEMIC RACISM | LISTEN TO PEOPLE OF AFRICAN DESCENT, VICTIMS & THEIR FAMILIES, SAYS HIGH COMMISSIONER TO COUNCIL
The High Commissioner for Human Rights gave her second update to the Council on 19 March. She reaffirmed that she will center her report on the lived experiences of victims and their families, emphasised the necessity for the Council to continue addressing systemic racism, and warned that without addressing the root causes, impunity for racist police violence will prevail.
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FRANCE | END IMPUNITY FOR RACIALLY CHARGED POLICE VIOLENCE
Genuinely combating racial discrimination is essential for a more just and peaceful society. This requires an end to impunity, especially when the perpetrators of racial discrimination and violence are representatives of the State. ISHR and its French national partner, the Collectif Urgence Notre Police Assassine, reminded France about this in a video statement presented at the session.
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EGYPT | STATES BREAK SILENCE TO CONDEMN EGYPT'S REPRESSION
ISHR joined NGOs from around the world expressing their strong support for a joint State declaration led by Finland urging Egypt to end its repression of human rights defenders, LGBTI persons, journalists, politicians and lawyers under the guise of countering terrorism.
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POVERTY ERADICATION | COUNCIL DEBATE ON POVERTY SHOWS PROGRESS BUT APPROACH TO 'WIN-WIN' COOPERATION POLARISES
At a high-level panel, the Council rightly affirmed the importance of rightsholders’ participation to the success of poverty alleviation projects specifically, and sustainable development overall. ISHR is disappointed, then, that the panel's main sponsors have rushed to table a draft resolution on ‘mutually beneficial’ cooperation which not only pays no heed to the discussion, but undermines those very principles.
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VENEZUELA | REPEATED CALLS TO PROTECT CIVIC SPACE & THE INDEPENDENCE OF INSTITUTIONS
Defenders in Venezuela promote justice, equality and accountability. Without their work being safeguarded and enabled, the victims of violations are made yet more vulnerable. During three different dialogues on Venezuela, members of the Council repeatedly called for civil society and civic space to be protected.
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MALI | PUT AN END TO THE VICIOUS CYCLE OF IMPUNITY
On 22 March, the Independent expert on the human rights situation in Mali presented his third report. Though commending the government for its continued collaboration with the mandate, he also shared concerns on the insecurity in the northern and central regions of the country.
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DR CONGO | PROTECT DEFENDERS FOR LASTING PEACE IN THE COUNTRY
On 22 March, the High Commissioner for human rights, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the UN Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as well as the International Team of Experts on the Kasaï region updated the Council on the situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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ANDORRA | STOP JUDICIAL HARASSMENT AGAINST VANESSA MENDOZA CORTES
During the adoption of Andorra's UPR report, ISHR and its Andorran partner, Stop Violències, delivered a joint statement calling on Andorra to fully implement the recommendations to ensure defenders can work in a safe environment without fear of reprisals.
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MONGOLIA | STRENGTHEN THE DRAFT LAW ON DEFENDERS
During Mongolia's third Universal Periodic Review, the Human Rights Forum of Mongolia and ISHR called on the government to ensure the draft human rights defenders law complies with international law.
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CHINA | PRINCIPLED ACTION NEEDED AS CHINA STEPS UP EFFORTS TO REIN IN ACCOUNTABILITY
China strongarms diplomatic support and tactics to deflect criticism at the Human Rights Council, as credible evidence of grave and widespread rights violations increase. High Commissioner Bachelet should set the record straight by urgently initiating remote monitoring and reporting of China’s human rights situation.
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BURUNDI | PROTECT DEFENDERS, DON'T CRIMINALISE THEM
On 11 March, the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi updated the Human Rights Council on the situation in the country. While recognising the efforts made by the government to strengthen democracy, it also highlighted that there is still a long way to go to end human rights violations and impunity in the country.
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Top banner: Visual harvesting by kristakaufmann
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