WHRDs | UN EXPERTS FIND LIBYA VIOLATED RIGHTS OF WOMAN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER 

In a landmark decision, the UN CEDAW committee found that Libya violated the rights of a woman human rights defender and issued recommendations to better respect, protect and support the work of women defenders.
 

REPRISALS | IN SUBMISSION TO UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, ISHR DOCUMENTS CASES OF REPRISALS IN 26 COUNTRIES  

In order for the international human rights system to function to its fullest potential, human rights defenders must be able to share crucial information and perspectives, safely and unhindered. However, many defenders still face unacceptable risks and are unable to cooperate safely with the UN. 

HRC47 | CALL FOR UN INQUIRY INTO POLICE VIOLENCE AND SYSTEMIC RACISM IN THE UNITED STATES

EGYPT | 74 NGOs DEMAND RELEASE OF AHMED SAMIR SANTAWY 

ISHR joined 74 civil society organisations from across the world in urging Egypt to release researcher Ahmed Samir Santawy, and to ensure that, pending his release, he is granted immediate and regular access to his family and lawyers, provided with adequate healthcare, and protected from torture and other ill-treatment.
 

COVID-19 | HOW TO ENSURE THE PROTECTION OF THE RIGHTS OF DEFENDERS DURING THE PANDEMIC?

The health crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic has led States to take measures to combat the spread of the virus. Despite the state of health emergency, some of these measures were considered inappropriate and have considerably limited the rights of defenders with a considerable impact on their work.

DEFENDER'S STORY | DANIELLA SOLANO MORALES FROM COSTA RICA 

'To promote respect for sexual diversity is important. I really hope to promote social projects based on respect for LGBTI people,' says Daniella Solano Morales, consultant and promoter with MULABI Latin America Space for sexualities and human rights in Costa Rica. 

NGO FORUM | OUTCOME OF THE NGO FORUM 

The NGO Forum preceding the 68th ordinary session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) was held remotely on 12 and 13 of April 2021. Framed around the 2021 African Union's theme ‘Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for building the Africa we want’, it represented an important opportunity for civil society organisations to highlight the inherent link between arts, culture and heritage and the realisation of human rights and democracy.
 

RESOURCE | OF CRYSTAL BALLS, PANDEMICS, AND RESILIENCE: WHY FORESIGHT SHOULD BE IN THE DNA OF THE SOCIAL CHANGE FIELD

In this comprehensive Guide to Foresight in the Social Change Field, Krizna Gomez explains why incorporating foresight thinking into social change work is so necessary and provides a series of beautifully designed activities that you can lift right out of the guide and incorporate into your own organisation.

To download the Guide to Foresight in the Social Change Field, visit https://www.justlabs.org/futures.

STUDY | GLOBAL NETWORK OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS FOCAL POINTS 

On 21 April 2021, ISHR together with the HRD Hub at the Centre for Applied Human Rights, University of York, launched a new study on the ‘Desirability and Feasibility of a Global Network of ‘Human Rights Defenders Focal Points’. Watch the recording of the virtual launch of the study here!

BAHRAIN | IMMEDIATELY AND UNCONDITIONALLY RELEASE ABDULHADI AL-KHAWAJA

ISHR joins human rights organisations from across the globe in calling for the unconditional and immediate release of prominent Bahraini human rights defender Abdul-Hadi al-Khawaja, who turned 60 on 5 April.
 

OPINION | IT'S TIME FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO STEP UP ITS RESPONSE TO MASSIVE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS 

In the face of inaction by the Security Council in response to mass atrocities in Syria, Myanmar and China, it is incumbent on States to explore and take action at the General Assembly, write Rebecca Barber and Alex Bellamy.