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Human Rights Monitor

© Photo: ISHR

This month, we invite you to join our #EndReprisals campaign and take action. We share a call to know the whereabouts of Eduardo Torres, a prominent human rights defender in Venezuela. We present several new resources, including an e-learning module on the African Commission, a report on defenders from African islands States, a fully updated Reprisals handbook, and a deep analysis of China's tactics to restrict civil society access at the UN. Read on!

LATEST UPDATES

ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDERS' PROTECTION AND PARTICIPATION THROUGH ESCAZU AGREEMENT

From 7-10 April, the Latin American and Caribbean Forum on Environmental Human Rights Defenders brought together environmental defenders, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and government representatives in Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. READ MORE >

CALLING OUT ESCALATION OF TRANSNATIONAL REPRESSION IN HONG KONG

ISHR joins 22 human rights organisations in strongly condemning the Hong Kong government’s escalating repression of activists in exile and the targeting of relatives of prominent activist Anna Kwok.
READ MORE >

URGING RELEASE OF CHINESE JOURNALIST ZHANG ZHAN, IN CRITICAL CONDITION

63 press freedom and human rights NGOs strongly condemn the Chinese government's ongoing arbitrary detention of journalist, human rights defender and former lawyer Zhang Zhan, on the 5th anniversary of her arrest. READ MORE >

VENEZUELA: WHERE IS EDUARDO TORRES?

Eduardo Torres is a human rights defender, lawyer and member of the Venezuelan Education-Action Program on Human Rights (PROVEA)’s legal enforcement team. He has been missing since Friday, 9 May 2025, likely due to his work as a human rights activist. We call on Venezuelan authorities to ensure the life and integrity of human rights defender Eduardo Torres and disclose his fate and whereabouts. And we invite you to join our call by sending an email to Venezuelan authorities. READ MORE AND TAKE ACTION >

PERU: CONDEMNING LAWS THAT RESTRICT CIVIL SOCIETY, VIOLATE VICTIMS' RIGHTS

ISHR joins organisations from across Latin America and beyond in condemning the adoption of an 'anti-NGO' law in Peru that seriously threatens independent civil society in the country. READ MORE >

SPECIAL PROCEDURES: CIVIL SOCIETY PROPOSES CRITERIA TO SELECT MANDATE HOLDERS

ISHR and its partners call for a transparent and merits-based selection of UN independent experts – one that considers diversity, lived experience, independence, and geographic balance. READ MORE >

ISHR LAUNCHES NEW E-LEARNING MODULE ON THE AFRICAN COMMISSION

Are you a human rights defender looking for tips on how to engage with the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights? If so, delve into our new e-learning module and discover all you need for real world advocacy in Africa! READ MORE >

SUDAN: OVER 25 WOMEN FACE CHARGES THAT COULD LEAD TO EXECUTION

As the Sudanese armed forces advance in several states, increasing numbers of civilians are being detained, prosecuted, and killed on accusations of 'collaboration with RSF.' Authorities and the international community must act now!
READ MORE >

ZAMBIA SHOULD ADOPT A HUMAN RIGHTS DEFENDER PROTECTION LAW

On 9-10 April, ISHR coorganised a consultation meeting in Lusaka, Zambia, in partnership with the Southern African Centre for the Constructive Resolution of Disputes (SACCORD), to revitalise the process towards the adoption of a national law to promote and protect defenders. READ MORE >

CENTER DEFENDER PROTECTION IN TRANSNATIONAL CORPORATIONS TREATY

At the intersessional consultations for the legally binding instrument on transnational corporations and human rights, discussions focused on victims’ rights, protection measures, and access to remedy. ISHR called on States to center defender protections in the treaty, urging strong safeguards against reprisals and recognition of the right to defend rights. READ MORE >

CAMPAIGN

THEIR VOICES DEFEND HUMAN RIGHS. TRAVEL BANS SILENCE THEM: #END REPRISALS!

Some States use travel bans as a reprisal against human rights defenders who cooperate with the United Nations. These acts of retaliation are designed to isolate, intimidate, and silence them. Join us in our campaign to #EndReprisals and end travel bans against defenders. TAKE ACTION >

NEW RESOURCES

NEW ISHR HANDBOOK ON REPRISALS, FOR DEFENDERS

ISHR is pleased to launch its updated Reprisals Handbook, an essential resource for all stakeholders concerned about intimidation and reprisals against those cooperating with international or regional human rights systems.
READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD >

ISHR REPORTS ON CASES OF REPRISALS IN 29 STATES

In response to the annual call for inputs from the UN Secretary-General, ISHR has submitted 119 cases of intimidation and reprisals against human rights defenders engaging with the UN from 29 countries.
READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD >

TOOLKIT TO ASSESS RISK FOR UN ENGAGEMENT

ISHR is pleased to launch a Reprisals Toolkit in two languages, an essential tool for human rights defenders and all stakeholders concerned about intimidation and reprisals against those cooperating with international or regional human rights systems.
READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD >

CHINA'S EFFORTS TO BLOCK CIVIL SOCIETY ACCESS TO THE UNITED NATIONS

In a new report, ISHR analyses China’s tactics to restrict access for independent civil society actors in UN human rights bodies. The report provides an analysis of China’s membership of the UN Committee on NGOs, the growing presence of Chinese Government-Organised NGOs (GONGOs), and patterns of intimidation and reprisals by the Chinese government. READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD >

TO BE SEEN, HEARD AND RECOGNISED

This report sheds lights into the lived realities of human rights defenders in six often-overlooked countries in Africa: Cape Verde, Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Sao Tome and Principe, and Seychelles.
READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD >

ROADMAP TO THE AFRICAN COMMISSION

The Road map for civil society engagement outlines a programme through which civil society organisations can maximise their impact while engaging with the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights through the State Reporting Procedure.
READ MORE AND DOWNLOAD >

ISHR IN THE MEDIA

Here is some of our latest coverage:

China deploys NGOs to quash criticism at U.N. organizations in Geneva
The Washington Post, 28 April 2025

À Genève, la Chine infiltre l’ONU pour harceler ses opposants
Tribune de Genève, 28 April 2025

調查：北京滲透國際組織嚴重　令聯合國、國際刑警成為「中國的遊樂場」
RFA, 28 April 2025

UN rights council adopts Pakistan’s resolution seeking Israel’s accountability
Daily Times / Reuters, 5 April 2025

Find our full coverage here.

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