ONE YEAR AFTER UN XINJIANG REPORT RELEASE, PRESSURE ON CHINA AT THE UN REMAINS STEADY

On 30 August 2022, the UN Human Rights Office concluded that the Chinese State may be responsible for committing crimes against humanity, in a report on human rights in the Uyghur region (Xinjiang). One year later, global pressure on Beijing remains high, ahead of a major UN human rights review in January.

CALL FOR ACTION AGAINST GENOCIDE RISK IN ISRAEL/OCCUPIED PALESTINIAN TERRITORIES

In response to a united warning from UN independent human rights experts about the risk of genocide against Palestinian people in Gaza and States’ obligation to take all necessary measure to prevent genocide, ISHR delivered a statement at a high-level briefing on the situation given by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.
 

CALL FOR ACTION: PROTECTING HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS IN GUATEMALA

ISHR and over 40 NGOs expressed grave concerns over Guatemala's actions to limit and criminalise peaceful human rights protests, following a 'technical Coup d’Etat' and the unexpected win of 'Movimiento Semilla'.
 

CONCERNS OVER BAHRAIN'S AND EGYPT'S NATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS INSTITUTIONS

A group of civil society organisations, including ISHR, sent a joint letter to the Sub-Committee on Accreditation of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions as Bahrain and Egypt's National Human Rights Institutions fail to comply with Paris Principles.

DEFENDER STORY: CYRINE HAMMEMI, CHAMPIONING MINORITY RIGHTS AND INCLUSIVITY IN TUNISIA

Cyrine Hammemi, in discussion with ISHR, shares her activism journey in Tunisia, aimed at building an inclusive society where equality reigns, regardless of identity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation. Her participation in ISHR's Human Rights Defender Advocacy Programme (HRDAP) in June 2023 provided her with vital knowledge on how to navigate the UN and inspiration from fellow defenders.

CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF THE UN DECLARATION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders. To commemorate this milestone, ISHR and sixteen other organisations have initiated a collaborative project to analyse and enhance the Declaration's impact.
And the good news is everyone can contribute; 1) share your experiences in our survey to shape the future of human rights and defenders’ rights and 2) join our virtual human chain and stand in solidarity with defenders by adding your photo!

A CALL TO REPEAL RSDL IN CHINA

China's use of 'Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location' (RSDL) since 2012 violates international law by allowing enforced disappearances and alleged torture of human rights defenders. Held without formal arrest in undisclosed locations for up to six months, detainees are cut off from the outside world. The UN condemns RSDL as potential torture, affecting thousands and stifling China's human rights activism. Despite risks, brave individuals like lawyer Ding Jiaxi, championed by his wife Sophie Luo Shengchun, persist in their quest for justice. Join our call to #RepealRSDL!

EXPLAINER FOR THE GUIDANCE ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

In anticipation of the upcoming 12th session of the UN Forum on Business and Human Rights from 27-29 November, explore ISHR's valuable resource, ‘Ten Practical Steps to Advance Corporate Respect for Human Rights Defenders.’ This short explainer is intended to help human rights defenders, civil society organisations and affected communities better know and advocate for concrete steps from business actors to protect their work.