Human Rights Monitor
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This month, we share the latest news from the Council's 58th session, including insights from a side event we co-organised on human rights defenders and new, emerging forms of technology. We report from RightsCon25. We share priorities for the HRC President and States in 2025. And more!
HRC58 UPDATES

SUDAN: IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE, PROTECT CIVILIANS, OPEN HUMANITARIAN CORRIDORS

During the Human Rights Council's enhanced interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on Sudan, ISHR delivered a joint statement with Sudanese Women’s Rights Action (SURWA) and the WHRDMENA Coalition. READ MORE >
CHINESE FEMINISTS CONTINUE RESISTENCE DESPITE REPRESSION

ISHR delivered a statement on behalf of Chinese feminist activists marking the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, highlighting the continued repression of women human rights defenders in China. READ MORE >
NICARAGUA: UN EXPERTS SPEAK OF FINAL BLOW TO RULE OF LAW

In their third report to the Human Rights Council, the UN Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua spoke of a new phase of repression in Nicaragua gutting the constitution of basic human rights guarantees. As Nicaragua disengages from the Council and further isolates itself from the international community, the importance of continuing the work of the Experts is clear. READ MORE >

UN GENOCIDE PREVENTION OFFICE URGED TO ACT UPON UN COMMITTEE RULING ON UYGHURS

Over two years after a landmark UN committee ruling on the plight of Uyghurs, UN office on genocide prevention urged to take meaningful steps during HRC debate, as States are urged to avoid double-standards in acting upon early warning signs of atrocity crimes. READ MORE >

PERSONS WITH ALBINISM FACE WIDESPREAD HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS

In a joint statement with ISHR, Antoine Gliksohn, executive director of the Global Albinism Alliance, stressed the importance of the mandate of the Independent Expert in light of the continued attacks on persons with albinism. READ MORE >

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS GLOBALLY NEED INCREASED POLITICAL, FINANCIAL SUPPORT

During the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, ISHR highlighted the deep interconnection between human rights, peace and security. READ MORE >

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS AND NEW EMERGING FORMS OF TECHNOLOGY

ISHR co-organised a side event on the protection of human rights defenders against new and emerging forms of technology-facilitated rights violations on the margins of the 58th session of the Human Rights Council. This side event came at a crucial time as 197 organisations published an open letter to States urging them to put forward a strong resolution on human rights defenders and digital tools, to be adopted at this session. READ MORE >
CAMPAIGNS

OPEN LETTER TO STATES ON THE DRAFT RESOLUTION ON HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDERS

Civil society urges States to ensure a resolution at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council addresses the protection of human rights defenders from emerging risks resulting from technological trends and shifting online spaces. READ MORE >
LATEST UPDATES

RIGHTSCON 2025: ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE, PROTECTING DEFENDERS IN THE DIGITAL ERA

ISHR attended RightsCon 2025, the largest global summit on technology and human rights issues. One clear message stood out: more should be done to protect human rights defenders on and offline and tech companies should be held accountable when their activities contribute to human right violations. READ MORE >

TELL US WHERE DETAINEES ARE HELD, UN AND IACHR EXPERTS URGE VENEZUELA

Experts from the UN and Inter-American Commission on Human Rights have joined forces to urge Venezuela to determine the fate and whereabouts of victims of enforced disappearance and put an end to the abhorrent practice of enforced disappearance. READ MORE >

SPREAD OF 'FOREIGN AGENT' LAWS IN CENTRAL, EASTERN EUROPE A THREAT TO CIVIL SOCIETY

In recent years, ‘Foreign agent’ laws have been introduced in various countries, violating international human rights law and threatening to silence human rights defenders. This pattern is particularly evident in Central and Eastern Europe, where NGOs courageously resist and need the support of the international community. READ MORE >

UN BODIES SLAM INCOMING HRC MEMBER THAILAND FOR UYGHUR DEPORTATIONS TO CHINA

Thai authorities forcibly deported 40 Uyghurs to China, disregarding international warnings and fundamental human rights protections. The move has drawn widespread condemnation and raised concerns over Thailand’s credibility as a UN Human Rights Council member. READ MORE >

CALL ON UK TO LEAD INTERNATIONAL ACTION ON EGYPT AT HRC

A coalition of 25 UK, Egyptian and international organisations have called on British Foreign Secretary David Lammy to use the UN Human Rights Council to draw attention to the pronounced human rights crisis in Egypt. Doing so would support arbitrarily imprisoned British-Egyptian national Alaa Abd el-Fattah, the groups said. READ MORE >

PRIORITIES FOR THE HRC PRESIDENT AND STATES IN 2025

The beginning of a new year coincides with the appointment of a new President for the Human Rights Council. On 11 February, ISHR hosted a civil society reception to welcome the 2025 President, Swiss ambassador Jürg Lauber, providing an opportunity for civil society, human rights experts, supporters and diplomats to meet and discuss challenges and opportunities in the year ahead. 
READ MORE >
HRC2025: BLUEPRINT FOR STATES TO ENSURE HRC IS CREDIBLE, ACCESSIBLE AND EFFECTIVE

The UN Human Rights Council is crucial for rights holders, victims, and human rights defenders, offering a platform to pressure for national change, expose violations, seek accountability, and gain support for their work towards a fair, equal, and sustainable world.  
READ MORE >
DEFENDER STORY

HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER STORY: YASMEEN EL-HASAN, FROM PALESTINE

'The tragic irony here is that it should be very easy for duty bearers to take immediate and urgent action. States need only to abide by their legal obligations,' says Yasmeen EL-Hasan, a human rights defender responsible for international advocacy at the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC) in Palestine, and participant in ISHR's WHRD Advocacy Week. READ MORE >
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