Photo: UNWebTV
On 2 July 2025, the Human Rights Council (HRC) adopted Madagascar’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report, as part of its 59th session.
As part of Madagascar’s UPR report adoption meeting, ISHR submitted a video statement in partnership with Transparency International Madagascar. In this statement, ISHR called for strengthening the legislative protection of human rights defenders and whistleblowers in Madagascar through the adoption of a human rights defenders protection law.
The statement further called on Madagascar to protect civic space and put an end to restrictions on civil society. In particular, Madagascar should stop banning protests, in accordance with its international obligations regarding freedom of association and assembly.
Finally, Madagascar should guarantee the right to access to information and amend the Code de la communication and the Loi sur la cybercriminalité to ensure protection for freedom of expression and for journalists.
At its UPR, Madagascar received 235 recommendations from HRC Member States, accepting a total of 204 of them. During the UPR report adoption meeting, Madagascar highlighted in its statement its acceptance of recommendations relating, inter alia, to the protection of human rights defenders, journalists, and civil society actors, and to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
Watch the statement below:
ISHR, the Center for Constitutional Rights, Advocates for Human Rights, the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee and Human Rights First delivered a joint statement at the Human Rights Council on the United States' refusal to cooperate with the Universal Periodic Review.
Saharawi woman human rights defender Fatima Moulay delivered a joint statement on behalf of ISHR, Front Line Defenders, and the Working group on human rights in occupied Western Sahara during the 61st session of the Human Rights Council, General Debate Item 4.
ISHR and Cepaz delivered a statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela at the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council, calling for guarantees of justice, truth and the restoration of rights.
