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Human Rights Monitor

© UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré

The Human Rights Council’s 58th session wrapped up last Friday and civil society presents its key takeaways in today's issue of our Monitor, including a substantive declaration on human rights defenders and emerging technologies and the renewal of the investigation mechanism on Nicaragua. Last but not least, we call for your support and donation to the UN Antiracism Coalition which plays a vital role in promoting racial justice and advocating for accountability at the UN. Read more in our Monitor below!

HRC58 UPDATES

CIVIL SOCIETY PRESENTS KEY TAKEAWAYS

At the 58th Human Rights Council session, civil society organisations share reflections on key outcomes and highlight gaps in addressing crucial issues and situations. READ MORE >

STATES ADOPT SUBSTANTIVE RESOLUTION ON DEFENDERS, EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES

On 4 April 2025, the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a substantive resolution to enhance the protection of human rights defenders in the face of the specific challenges posed by new and emerging technologies. READ MORE >

SAHARAWI DEFENDERS FACE REPRESSION FOR THEIR WORK AND URGE THE COUNCIL TO ACT

In a joint statement, UJSARIO and ISHR stressed the failure of the international community to uphold its commitments to decolonisation and human rights as the occupation of Western Sahara and systematic oppression of the Saharawi people by Morocco continue. READ MORE >

GUATEMALA: DEFENDERS, INCLUDING FISHERFOLK, STILL AT RISK FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

At an interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, Doris Ramírez, a fisherwoman from Guatemala, raised concerns about the consequences business activities have had on marine biodiversity in Guatemala.
READ MORE >

SRI LANKA: IMPACT OF DEBT-DRIVEN POLICIES ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Melani Gunathilaka, a Sri Lankan human rights defender, delivered a statement under Item 3 General Debate highlighting the detrimental effect on human rights of economic and debt-driven policies pushed by international financial institutions. READ MORE >

HUMAN RIGHTS AND MULTILATERALISM ARE ESSENTIAL TO GLOBAL PEACE AND JUSTICE, SAY OVER 70 STATES

As international human rights law and institutions face unprecedented erosion, over 70 States from across all world regions have come together to re-commit to human rights, the international rule of law, and multilateral cooperation. READ MORE >

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: DENOUNCING SYSTEMIC RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA

ISHR and Fundación Código Humano delivered a joint statement condemning the violent treatment of migrants and Dominicans of African descent in the Dominican Republic. READ MORE >

RESPECT THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF AFRO-ARGENTINIANS

At HRC58, ISHR and Diáspora Africana de la Argentina (DIAFAR) delivered a joint statement urging Argentina to uphold the rights of Africans, Afro-descendants, and other racialised communities. READ MORE >

INCLUDING DEFENDERS IN THE PROTECTION MECHANISM IN CÔTE D'IVOIRE

ISHR and the Coalition ivoirienne des défenseurs des droits humains delivered a statement on the situation of human rights defenders in Côte d’Ivoire during the session on the adoption of the country’s Universal Periodic Review. READ MORE >

A CALL FOR GLOBAL REPARATORY JUSTICE FOR HAITIANS

ISHR and Haitian Bridge Alliance delivered a joint statement at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council condemning the violations of international law committed against Haitians. READ MORE >

HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL RENEWS INVESTIGATION ON NICARAGUA AS IT TURNS ITS BACK ON UN

The UN Human Rights Council has extended the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua for two years, doing so with a larger majority compared to the body’s 2023 renewal, and including a reporting mechanism to the UN General Assembly in New York. READ MORE >

DENOUNCING NICARAGUA'S WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COUNCIL AND ITS ABSENCE AT UNIVERSAL PERIODIC REVIEW

Members of the Colectivo 46/2 coalition expressed concerns about the non-adoption of the final report of Nicaragua's Universal Periodic Review. READ MORE >

VENEZUELA: THE ONLY WAY FORWARD IS TO STOP REPRESSION AND RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS

At the Human Rights Council, UN experts, civil society, and the majority of participating States delivered a key message to the Venezuelan government: stop all repression, enable the work of human rights defenders, and respect human rights. READ MORE >

STATES SHOULD EXTEND HUMAN RIGHTS INVESTIGATION IN UKRAINE

With overwhelming evidence of ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity associated with Russia's war of aggression, States from all regions should support the renewal of the mandate of the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. READ MORE >

AFGHANISTAN: STATES URGE THE COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH AN ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM

Echoing calls by Afghan and international advocates and activists, a cross-regional coalition of States has urged the Council to establish a mechanism to investigate grave human rights violations in Afghanistan.
READ MORE >

DEFENDER STORY

FARUKHLEQA UNCHIZADA, FROM AFGHANISTAN

Farukhleqa is a woman human rights defender from Afghanistan. She has been working for the promotion and protection of women's right for almost 20 years and is currently actively opposing gender apartheid in Afghanistan. READ MORE >

TAKE ACTION FOR RACIAL JUSTICE AND EQUALITY!

SUPPORT THE UN ANTIRACISM COALITION (UNARC)

Your support can create a lasting impact and help UNARC continue its vital advocacy for accountability at the UN, promoting racial justice and equality in the context of law enforcement. Watch the informative video made by the UNARC team to learn more about their work and take action for a better future for Africans and people of African descent. SUPPORT NOW >

ISHR IN THE MEDIA

Here is some of our latest coverage:

US lobbies UN rights council forsaken by Trump, diplomats say
Reuters, 4 April 2025

Los 54 funcionarios sandinistas del terror: la ONU revela los nombres de los represores en Nicaragua
El País, 4 April 2025

Extienden por dos años mandato del GHREN y aprueban resolución sobre Nicaragua
Confidencial, 3 April 2025

Rights groups call for release of Venezuela human rights defenders
Jurist News, 25 March 2025

Un questionnaire de l’administration Trump adressé aux ONG genevoises sur la pertinence de leurs activités
Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), 14 March 2025

Find our full coverage here.

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