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Human Rights Monitor

© UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré

This month, we wrap up the 57th session of the Human Rights Council and share key campaign wins on reprisals, HRC election and Venezuela. We reflect upon a successful Women Human Rights Advocacy Week. And we hope to see you at our upcoming events!

LATEST UPDATES

HRC57: CIVIL SOCIETY PRESENTS KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM THE SESSION

At the 57th Human Rights Council session, civil society organisations share reflections on key outcomes and highlight gaps in addressing crucial issues and situations. READ MORE >

TOGETHER FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: WHRD ADVOCACY WEEK

Women human rights defenders working on environment and climate justice from around the world gathered in Geneva to participate in the Women Human Rights Advocacy Week between 16 and 21 September. Discover their experience!
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AFGHANISTAN: WOMEN DEFENDERS CALL FOR JUSTICE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

Notwithstanding the Human Rights Council's sustained attention on Afghanistan and the adoption of a resolution renewing the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, the Council failed to adequately respond to the escalating human rights crisis and calls from civil society and women human rights defenders. Governments need to take action now! READ MORE >

A MOTHER'S URGENT CALL FOR JUSTICE, TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

Rute Fiuza demands justice for her son Davi, 16 years old, who was forcibly disappeared by 23 military police officers in Bahia (Brazil) in October 2014.
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A CALL FOR MEANINGFUL ACTION IN RACIAL JUSTICE

During the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on racial justice, concerns were raised about the international community's insufficient response to systemic racism, particularly regarding the need for concrete measures and accountability. READ MORE >

BRAZIL: URGENT CALL FOR RACIAL JUSTICE WITHIN THE PRISON SYSTEM

During the General Debate on Item 9, Cristiano Silva denounced the ongoing human rights violations against Brazil's Black population, particularly in the prison system, and called the Brazilian authorities to change this.
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CIVIL SOCIETY CALLS ON STATES TO #ENDREPRISALS

On 27 September, the Council debated the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on reprisals against persons or individuals working or seeking to work with the United Nations – which this year flagged incidents involving 32 States.
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Protect our voices at the UN: Our campaign to #EndReprisals continues!
Take action so human rights defenders can freely and safely engage with the United Nations: write to State representatives in New York so they raise individual cases of reprisals during the UN General Assembly this month!

JOIN OUR CAMPAIGN AND TAKE ACTION! >

DEFENDER MARYAM AL-KHAWAJA URGES THE COUNCIL TO DO ITS PART ON BAHRAIN

During the 57th session of the Human Rights Council, human rights defender Maryam Al-Khawaja delivered a video statement calling on the Council to take effective measures to ensure the release of all those arbitrarily detained, including her father, human rights defender Abdulhadi Al-Khawaja, as well as Dr. Abduljalil Al-Singace, and political leader Hassan Mushaima. READ MORE >

SAUDI ARABIA LOSES BID TO JOIN UN HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

In an almost entirely uncompetitive election, States at the UN General Assembly did not support Saudi Arabia’s candidacy to the Human Rights Council, halting the Kingdom’s push to play a larger role in human rights mechanisms in spite of its abysmal record. READ MORE >

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL RENEWS ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM ON VENEZUELA

Led by a group of Latin American States and Canada, the United Nations Human Rights Council extended the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission for Venezuela for two years, the mechanism’s third renewal since its creation in 2019. READ MORE >

YEMEN UPR: GOVERNMENT MUST RECONSIDER ACCOUNTABILITY RECOMMENDATIONS

In a joint statement delivered during the adoption of Yemen's Universal Periodic Review (UPR), civil society organisations decried the crackdown on civil society taking place in the context of regional instability that feeds on impunity. READ MORE >

INVESTIGATIVE MECHANISM NEEDED FOR A RIGHTS-BASED TRANSITIONAL JUSTICE IN YEMEN

In a joint statement delivered during the discussion on technical assistance and capacity-building to Yemen, organisations addressed the inaction of the international community to support a rights-based transitional justice amidst the escalating crackdown on civil society in the country.
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HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER STORY: BARBARA ASTUDILLO, FROM CHILE

‘We strongly believe that we must push the gender perspective, that we must work with the present and future generations, and that also puts their lives at risk, because they are looking for their birthright. And [these risks] should not be normalised in our world, as we look to reach what is known as climate justice,' says Bárbara Astudillo in an interview with ISHR. Bárabara Astudillo is an environmental human rights defender and ecofeminist from Chile’s Petroca Province. READ MORE AND WATCH THE VIDEO >