HRC54: BAHRAIN MUST RELEASE POLITICAL PRISONERS, ARBITRARILY DETAINED DEFENDERS

During the 54th session of the UN Human Rights Council, Bahraini women human rights defenders urged members to uphold their obligations toward the hundreds of political prisoners in Bahrain and pressure their government for their immediate release.
 

HRC54: UAE MUST END REPRESSION OF HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND CIVIC SPACE

Emirati woman human rights defender Jenan Almarzooqi delivered a statement on behalf of ISHR, urging the United Arab Emirates to implement Universal Periodic Review recommendations on civic space, including releasing political prisoners and ending arrests and intimidation of defenders.

SYRIA: NO END IN SIGHT TO PATTERNS OF ILL-TREATMENT, ENFORCED DISAPPEARANCES

At the 54th session of the Human Rights Council, human rights defender Mahmoud Alhamwi delivered a statement on behalf of ISHR and the Truth and Justice Charter group urging States to fund for the new institution on the missing, particularly in relation to support for relatives of victims.

VENEZUELA: HUMAN RIGHTS COMMITTEE MEMBER CALLS ON CHAIR FOR PROTECTION

Venezuelan delegates sought to discredit members of the Human Rights Committee during their State review. Committee members called for protection, highlighting concerns of reprisals against civil society.
 

GRAEME REID APPOINTED AS UN INDEPENDENT EXPERT ON SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY

Civil society welcomes the appointment of Graeme Reid as the third UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity and celebrates the achievements of Victor Madrigal-Borloz in the role.

DRC ADOPTS NATIONAL LAW TO PROTECT, PROMOTE RIGHTS OF DEFENDERS

The DRC has become the fifth country in Africa to adopt a legal instrument for the promotion and protection of human rights defenders. Though some provisions are contrary to international protection standards, if effectively implemented, this new law should help create an enabling working environment for defenders.
 

ESCAZÚ: SYSTEM MUST BE ADEQUATELY FUNDED TO PROTECT DEFENDERS OF LIFE

Environmental defenders from across Latin America and the Caribbean came together last week for the 2nd Forum on human rights defenders (Escazú Agreement) making evident their indispensable role in defending life on earth.

UYGHUR, TIBETAN, HONG KONG DEFENDERS DISCUSS PRIORITIES WITH UN HUMAN RIGHTS BODIES

ISHR and Freedom House hosted a group of young defenders from the diaspora for a training on UN human rights mechanisms and joint advocacy meetings in Geneva during the week of 10 September.

LU SIWEI NOMINATED FOR HUMAN RIGHTS PRIZE, RISKS ILL TREATMENT AFTER FORCED REPATRIATION TO CHINA

Chinese human rights lawyer Lu Siwei has been nominated for the South Korean Gwangju Prize for Human Rights for his steadfast defence of activists targeted by the Chinese authorities. Arrested in July this year while transiting through Laos, he was returned back to China in late September, in a blunt violation of basic principles of international law.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER'S STORY: ANDREZA JORGE, FROM BRAZIL

Andreza Jorge is a human rights defender and activist working to empower communities in favelas in Brazil. She told us how the injustices she saw perpetrated against her family and her neighbours inspired her to take up their cause as an activist.
 

#ENDREPRISALS: CASES CITED AT THE GA'S THIRD COMMITTEE

After a record number of States raised cases of reprisals at the Human Rights Council, individual cases were cited for the first time at the General Assembly's Third Committee, including those of Anexa Alfred and of civil society in Hong Kong.

HRC ELECTIONS: RUSSIA DENIED CYNICAL COMBEACK

After a resouding defeat at the General Assembly, Russia will not return to the Human Rights Council. Unfortunately, States elected China and Burundi in two uncompetitive races - both came last of their regional slates, showing support for them is not automatic.