STATES TO REITERATE THEIR COMMITMENT TO THE DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

On its 25th anniversary, the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders sees the Third Committee urging States to bolster efforts in safeguarding defenders amid challenges like harassment and violence. The resolution emphasises enhanced protection for women, defenders in conflict zones, and young advocates, while addressing information restrictions.

WE DID IT! BREAKING GROUND ON REPRISALS AT THE THIRD COMMITTEE

The United States took a stance at the United Nations General Assembly and mentioned specific cases and situations of reprisals during the dialogue with Assistant Secretary-General Ilze Brands Kehris, including cases ISHR had actively campaigned for.

US URGED TO BOOST SUPPORT FOR HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS GLOBALLY ON KEY ANNIVERSARY

ISHR and a coalition of NGOs organised an event on Capitol Hill to celebrate human rights defenders and urge the international community to stand with and support defenders worldwide.

UN EXPERT HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL ROLE OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN PEACE AND DEMOCRATIC TRANSITION PROCESSES

At the 78th Session of the UN General Assembly’s Third Committee, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association highlighted the importance of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association for achieving sustainable peace and democratic transition.

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER'S STORY: ANEXA ALFRED FROM NICARAGUA

Anexa Alfred Cunningham is a human rights defender and an advocate for the rights of Indigenous and Afro-descendent communities in Nicaragua. She calls on the international community to focus on Nicaragua's marginalised groups, aspiring for a future of democracy and justice for her descendants.

UN ADOPTS RESOLUTION ON ELECTIONS AND DEMOCRATIC PROCESSES THAT INCLUDES PERSONS OF ALL SEXUAL ORIENTATIONS AND GENDER IDENTITIES

The UN General Assembly has adopted a landmark resolution, heralded by ISHR and Outright International, that explicitly ensures the rights of individuals of all sexual orientations and gender identities to participate in democratic processes. This resolution, passed by the Third Committee Member States, represents a crucial advancement in combatting discrimination in public affairs.

UN EXPERT HIGHLIGHTS CRITICAL ROLE OF WOMEN DEFENDERS AND DENOUNCES THEIR CRIMINALISATION

The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, presented her report on women human rights defenders to the General Assembly’s Third Committee. The report highlights the pivotal role of women human rights defenders in conflict and post-conflict scenarios, and the vulnerability that comes with it.

VICTOR MADRIGAL-BORLOZ'S FINAL REPORT HIGHLIGHTS COLONIALISM'S IMPACT ON LGBT RIGHTS

In his concluding report as the UN Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity, Victor Madrigal-Borloz highlighted the detrimental impact of colonialism on LGBT rights and published four policy positions focusing on eliminating discrimination and addressing challenges for persons with disabilities and older LGBT individuals.