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Human Rights Monitor

Photo: UN Women/Ryan Brown

HRDAP22 | APPLY NOW FOR ISHR'S TRAINING FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS!

Are you a human rights defender keen to use the UN to push for change at home? If so, apply to the 2022 edition of ISHR’s flagship training: the Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP).
Deadline for applications: 3 January 2022.

NICARAGUA | TIME FOR THE UN TO APPOINT EXPERTS TO INVESTIGATE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

After recent sham elections, NGO coalition 'Colectivo 46/2' calls on the United Nations to appoint experts to investigate gross human rights violations that have been taking place in Nicaragua since April 2018, and their root causes.

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TREATY BODIES | NICARAGUA DEFIES HUMAN RIGHTS BODIES, ESCAPES SCRUTINY

In a rare and unwelcome move, Nicaragua has escaped scrutiny from two UN human rights Committees. By choosing to skip both scheduled reviews, and simultaneously ignoring decisions from a regional human rights court, Nicaragua sends a defying message to the international community, and a confirmation of its intentions to hide a problematic human rights record domestically.

CHINA | FAILING TO UPHOLD COMMITMENTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

In newly published report, ISHR and four partner organisations assess China's lack of implementation of human rights commitments from its 2018 Universal Periodic Review (UPR). The report details the government's diverse strategies to silence and repress human rights defenders, lawyers, and journalists.

AFRICAN COMMISSION I PROTECT DEFENDERS IN AFRICA

On 16 November, ISHR delivered a statement on the situation of human rights in Africa, with a particular focus on the criminalisation and arrest of women defenders in Sudan, of LGBTI defenders in Namibia as well as on the progress made on legislative protection of defenders in Benin and Mali.

COTE D'IVOIRE | PROTECTING CIVIC SPACE AND DEFENDERS IN TIMES OF CRISIS

In Africa, more and more defenders are working in an environment marked by the shrinking of civic and democratic space and severe restrictions of fundamental freedoms, especially during pre- and post-electoral crisis and more recently the fallout of the health crisis linked to Covid19.

YEMEN I CIVIL SOCIETY DEMANDS URGENT UN ACTION

Civil society groups call for an independent accountability mechanism in their demand for urgent UN action against impunity for crimes in Yemen.

DEFENDER STORY | MAURICIO OCHIENG' FROM KENYA

Mauricio Ochieng' is a transgender activist, a SOGIESC human rights defender from the Western part of Kenya, and a HRDAP21 alumni. In this short video, he explains how his work will help to fight discrimination, achieve equality and create a better future for transgender people in Kenya.

AWARD | THE 2022 MARTIN ENNALS AWARD FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

For the 2022 edition, the Jury selected three activists who, through their courage, unfailing hope and strategic approaches, inspired others to take up human rights. Their identities will be revealed on 19 January 2022 during an online press conference. The Martin Ennals Award Laureates 2022 will be honoured during a hybrid ceremony co-hosted by the City of Geneva and the Martin Ennals Foundation on 10 February 2022.

FUNDRAISING APPEAL | HELP CREATE THE FUTURE, SUPPORT ISHR!

This December, ISHR is raising money to provide invaluable skills and resources to courageous activists from around the globe and make real their hopes and agenda for a better world.

RESOURCE I PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE UN SPECIAL PROCEDURES

ISHR's guide provides an overview of the system of independent human rights experts known as the Special Procedures, and the different ways human rights defenders can make use of it to further their human rights causes.
The guide is now available in several languages: English, Chinese and French.

ISHR IN THE MEDIA

Here is our latest coverage:

Série “Prisonniers Politiques 2, Épisode 3 – Chang Weiping: symbole de la croisade de Pékin contre les avocats
France Culture, 1 December 2021

Over 40 Human Rights and Foreign Policy Organizations Call on Formula 1 Star Lewis Hamilton to Raise Human Rights Concerns at the Saudi Grand Prix
Speedway Digest, 1 December 2021

No turning back: Women human rights defenders remain steadfast in perilous times
openDemocracy, 29 November 2021

Will the UN Human Rights Council “sacrifice” or silence Civil Society?
The European Times, 19 November 2021

Chine: la «résidence surveillée dans un lieu désigné, arme totale contre les défenseurs des droits humains»
Libération, 4 November, 2021

‘Newspeak’ as a harbinger of a new world order? Chinese language struggle weakens human rights ‘without us realizing it’
Mondial Nieus, 20 October 2021

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