Human Rights Council Monitor (HRC52)

Photo: UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL ELECTIONS 2023

Eighteen countries are running for a seat at the Human Rights Council. All of them need to improve their human rights records. Join us to make sure the Council remains strong and principled!

What can you do?

Participate in the elections pledging event organised by Amnesty International and ISHR on 6 September (register here)
Submit questions to be asked to candidate States during the pledging event
Check out the score cards published by ISHR for each candidate.

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Have a question for candidate States? Submit it here!

AFGHANISTAN: COUNCIL OPENS WITH DEDICATED DISCUSSION ON THE SITUATION OF WOMEN AND GIRLS

A joint report by the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Afghanistan and the Working Group on Discrimination against Women in law and practice found that grave, systematic and institutionalised discrimination against women and girls is at the heart of Taliban ideology and rule.

SUDAN: CALLS FOR CEASEFIRE, ACCESS FOR HUMANITARIAN AID AND ACCOUNTABILITY

During the enhanced interactive dialogue on 19 June 2023 with the High Commissioner and the designated Expert on Sudan, ISHR, Sudanese Women Rights Action (SURWA), and WHRDMENA Coalition delivered a joint statement drawing attention to the deteriorating situation in Sudan.

UN EXPERT ON SOGI CALLS FOR ENHANCED PROTECTION OF LGBTI COMMUNITIES IN THE CONTEXT OF RELIGION

In his final report to the Human Rights Council as Independent Expert, Victor Madrigal-Borloz emphasises that freedom of religion and belief and freedom from violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity are fully compatible under international human rights law.

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VENEZUELA: WITHOUT IMPLE-MENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS, THERE IS NO JUSTICE

This week, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights presented his report on Venezuela, providing an overview of the human rights situation and the implementation of UN recommendations.

STATES DISCUSS UN COMMITTEE'S 'RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT' REFERRAL ON UYGHURS

The UN Special Adviser on the prevention of genocide answers questions from governments and NGOs on the UN committee’s historical referral of human rights situation of Uyghurs.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER STORY: ABAKAR MANSA FROM GHANA

'A leader needs to have a goal,' says Abakar Mansa. 'My target is the grassroots community, mostly the Indigenous persons, because I feel they are mostly left out when it comes to human rights issues and that they are the ones that also suffer a lot when there are violations.'

Abakar Mansa is a human rights defender and activist based in Accra, Ghana who works with the Interfaith Diversity Network of West Africa (IDNOWA), a group that seeks to engage between faith and religious groups to change attitudes towards LGBTIQ+ persons.

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TUNISIA: HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL SHOULD URGENTLY ADDRESS THE HUMAN RIGHTS CRISIS

The Human Rights Council should urgently address the deterioration of the human rights situation in Tunisia, four human rights organisations said as the 53rd Council’s session is underway.

UPDATE TO DATABASE ON BUSINESSES IN THE OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORY

In a joint Statement to the Human Rights Council, human rights organisations welcome the release of OHCHR's updated database of businesses facilitating Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and call for a full and annual implementation of the mandate.

CAMPAIGNS

IT'S TIME TO #ENDREPRISALS

Human rights defenders are essential voices from our communities. Some of them face intimidation and reprisals when engaging with the United Nations.

Join our campaign! Write to State representatives at the UN, urging them to take up the cases from Andorra, Djibouti, Hong Kong, Nicaragua and the United Arab Emirates and help #EndReprisals!

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WRITE TO STATES >

25 YEARS OF THE UN DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

As part of the anniversary celebration, several civil society organisations launched a collaborative project to analyse the contributions of the Declaration to defenders’ lives and work, as well as progress in international human rights law on the protection of defenders.

If you're a human rights defenders, you can contribute to this project by taking this online survey: add your voice now!

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TAKE THE SURVEY >

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