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Human Rights Monitor

Illustration: Inguskruklitis / Freepik.com

This month, we stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and with brave human rights defenders in Russia calling for an end to war and looking to the Human Rights Council and other UN bodies to contribute to peace, security and justice. We celebrate the reunion of Chinese human rights lawyer Yu Wensheng with his family, and continue our campaign calling the UN to appoint experts to investigate human rights violations in Nicaragua. Read on to learn more about these and other key human rights news!

RUSSIA: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SHOULD ADDRESS DIRE HUMAN RIGHTS SITUATION IN COUNTRY

In a landmark decision, the UN Human Rights Council has voted overwhelmingly today to establish a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and promote accountability for human rights violations and abuses associated with Russia's aggression against Ukraine. The Human Rights Council should also take action to address the dire human rights situation in Russia itself.

HRC49: NGOs CALL FOR RESOLUTION ON DEFENDERS IN CONFLICT AND POST-CONFLICT SITUATIONS

Defending rights during conflict is essential and the right to do so must be robustly promoted and protected. ISHR joins 37 national, regional and international NGOs to call on Human Rights Council members to support a strong resolution on human rights defenders operating in conflict and post-conflict situations that reflects the gravity of the situation faced and provides them with necessary protection and support.

HRC49 SIDE EVENT: SUPPORTING WOMEN DEFENDERS IN CONFLICT AND POST CONFLICT SITUATIONS

Women human rights defenders are crucial agents and leaders of change. However, due to their gender, they face particular obstacles and security risks. What are these gendered obstacles and risks? How can women human rights defenders best be supported and protected by States and other actors? On 8 March, join the discussion here!

VICTORY: CHINESE HUMAN RIGHTS LAWYER YU WENSHENG REUNITES WITH HIS FAMILY IN BEIJING

On 1 March, Yu Wensheng was able to leave Nanjing Prison and reunite with his family in Beijing, as reported by his wife Xu Yan, upon completion of his arbitrary sentence, and after four years of arbitrary detention. Xu Yan stresses the vital role of ongoing support by international allies over the past four years in guaranteeing that they could safely reunite.

SUDAN: FREE DETAINED WOMEN HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS!

ISHR joins civil society groups in calling for the immediate release of Sudanese women human rights defenders in detention, and accountability for the crimes committed against them.

EGYPT: PROVIDE HEALTH CARE TO SALAH SOLTAN NOW!

ISHR joins 19 NGOs calling on Egyptian authorities to urgently provide health care to Salah Soltan, the detained father of a prominent Egyptian rights defender or immediately release him to receive medical attention and investigate claims of torture.

THE EU PROPOSES NEW REGULATION TO TACKLE HUMAN RIGHTS ABUSES IN GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS

A historical first step or the beginning of a tick-the-box exercise? The EU Commission proposes a Directive on corporate sustainability due diligence which would establish new human rights requirements for companies. The proposal is a milestone for the protection of people and the environment, but fails to recognise and include the voice of human rights defenders.

THIRD COMMITTEE: SECOND EVER INFORMAL MEETING WITH CIVIL SOCIETY

The Chair of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee invited civil society to an informal discussion on the main outcomes of the recent session and the theme equality in the recovery from COVID-19.

TWITTER: DIVERSE VOICES DEMAND THAT THE UN #OPENTHEDOOR2NGOs

Voices from around the world took to Twitter to join the conversation about why civil society is so important to the UN and to demand that the UN open the doors to NGOs.

DEFENDER'S STORY: MARIA LUISA ACOSTA FROM NICARAGUA

"States have the obligation to respect defenders, to provide them with security, to heed their calls and to consider that we are people who support the most vulnerable sectors of society, and that this is a contribution to democratic life."

HRC2022: BLUEPRINT FOR STATES TO ENSURE THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL IS CREDIBLE, ACCESSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE

For many rights holders, victims and activists, the UN Human Rights Council provides a vital lever increasing pressure for change on the ground, while for others it provides the last or only opportunity to expose violations, seek accountability, and garner support for their vital work towards a world that’s more fair, equal and sustainable. We need the Council to be credible, effective and accessible to everyone. This is only possible if States demonstrate leadership, take principled action, ensure that Council members live up to their responsibilities, and fully cooperate with the Council’s mechanisms.

OUR CAMPAIGNS

NICARAGUA: TIME TO APPOINT EXPERTS TO INVESTIGATE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

We believe in an open, equal, and democratic Nicaragua. A Nicaragua in which the human rights of all people are guaranteed without distinction, and where those who raise their voices against abuses are protected. A country in which truth and justice are guaranteed without exception, especially for those groups who have been historically discriminated against.

This is not currently possible in Nicaragua. After recent sham elections, NGO coalition 'Colectivo 46/2' calls on the United Nations to appoint experts to investigate gross human rights violations taking place in Nicaragua since April 2018, and its root causes.

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