COMMITTEE ON NGOs: POLITICISED COMMITTEE DEFERS ALMOST TWO-THIRDS OF NGOs SEEKING UN ACCREDITATION

The ECOSOC Committee on NGOs has just completed its Regular 2023 session. Despite change in the Committee’s composition, long standing issues of politicisation and systemic inefficiency remain.

EGYPT: FOLLOWING COP27, NGOs CALL FOR URGENT ACTION BY THE UN TO ADDRESS WORSENING CRISIS

As witnessed by the world during COP27, the brutal crackdown on civil society in Egypt continues to intensify, and sustained, coordinated action on Egypt at the Human Rights Council is more necessary than ever.

COLOMBIA: CONSTITUTIONAL COURT MUST ORDER STRUCTURAL CHANGES TO PROTECT DEFENDERS

ISHR and partners called for government-wide reforms in a third-party intervention in a case where the country’s highest court will analyse the general situation of human rights defenders in Colombia.

HRC52: KEY ISSUES ON AGENDA OF MARCH SESSION OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL 

The 52nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, from 27 February – 4 April 2023, will consider issues including the protection of human rights defenders, freedom of religion or belief, protection and promotion of human rights while countering terrorism, the right to food and adequate housing, among others. It will also present an opportunity to address grave human rights situations in States including Nicaragua, Venezuela, China, Syria, South Sudan, Iran, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Myanmar, Eritrea, among many others. Here’s an overview of some of the key issues on the agenda.

HRC52: SUPPORT CONSENSUS RENEWAL OF THE UN SPECIAL RAPPORTEUR ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS 

ISHR leads joint NGO letter addressed to all UN Member States urging support for consensus renewal of the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders at HRC52.

THIRD COMMITTEE: DIALOGUE ON IMPROVING CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION

On 22 February 2023, the Chair of the UNGA Third Committee convened an informal meeting with civil society a few months after the Committee’s 77th session to assess outcomes and meaningful civil society participation in the Committee’s work.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER STORY: KETAKANDRIANA RAFITOSON FROM MADAGASCAR
 

'Daily challenges are quite difficult sometimes. But I am convinced that, when we do good, when we commit to human rights, whatever the difficulties that come before us, we will always be able to overcome them in full solidarity.'
 

PRESENTATION OF THE FIRST REPORT OF THE GROUP OF HUMAN RIGHTS EXPERTS ON NICARAGUA

Monday 6 March at 6:30pm CET.
This HRC52 side event aims at convening a public conversation between the GHREN and members of civil society, diplomats and the public interested in the situation of human rights in Nicaragua.

PERSECUTIONS IN NICARAGUA: HOW SHOULD THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL RESPOND?

Tuesday 7 March at 4pm CET.
Today more than ever, the firm and decisive accompaniment of the international community is essential to re-establish democracy and the rule of law in Nicaragua. This side event aims at providing a platform for  Nicaraguan activists to share their experiences and their call to action with the international community. 

SUCCESS THROUGH PERSEVERANCE AND SOLIDARITY: 25 YEARS OF ACHIEVEMENTS BY HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS
 

Tuesday 14 March at 2pm CET. To mark the 25th anniversary of the adoption of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders in 1998, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, will focus on successes achieved by human rights defenders in her upcoming thematic report to the Human Rights Council. The report will demonstrate how the work of defenders is crucial in helping achieve more just and equitable societies.

In addition to the Special Rapporteur herself, the panel will include two defenders who will speak about successes they have achieved, and a State representative who will outline how that State collaborated with human rights defenders to bring about human rights gains.

UN MUST RENEW CRITICAL PROTECTION MECHANISM ON NICARAGUA

We believe in an open, equal, and democratic Nicaragua. International and local Nicaraguan civil society organisations are calling for the renewal of key United Nations human rights protection mechanism on Nicaragua.