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Remembering Holocaust victims
Troubling verdict
ISIL Mosul attacks
Victory over a torturer
Stand Up campaign

Commemorating the memory of the victims of the Holocaust

As we honour the victims of the Holocaust, we must also acknowledge the need to prevent the recurrence of anti-Semitism and all forms of racial and religious hatred and discrimination today.
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Azimjan Askarov verdict in Kyrgyzstan ‘deeply troubling’

The decision by a court in Kyrgyzstan to uphold a life sentence against political activist and journalist Azimjan Askarov highlights serious shortcomings in the country’s judicial system, Zeid says.
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ISIL ‘deliberately targeting’ civilians in eastern Mosul

ISIL continues to target civilians in parts of Mosul recaptured by Iraqi forces with shelling and improvised explosive attacks, and reportedly shooting people attempting to flee the areas it still controls.
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Victim to victor: the story of Souleymane Guengueng

Souleymane Guengueng is one of the victims of torture who has demanded justice for the atrocities they endured under the dictatorship of Chad’s Hissène Habré.
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“Stand up for someone’s rights today”: A global call to support human rights

“Stand up for someone’s rights today” is the new global campaign that aims to encourage, amplify and support what people do in their everyday lives to defend human rights. It promotes taking action for greater freedom, stronger respect and more compassion.
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News

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Holocaust Memorial High Commissioner Zeid reflects on the horrors to which bigotry, racism and discrimination ultimately lead, on the International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust.

Briefing notes: Mosul, Kyrgyzstan We continue to receive a large number of reports of civilians killed by ISIL shelling or improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in parts of Mosul recaptured by the Government of Iraq. The conviction of political activist Azimjan Askarov highlights serious shortcomings in the Kyrgyzstan's judicial system.

Sir Nigel Rodley A devoted human rights defender, brilliant academic, long-time member of the UN Human Rights Committee and former Special Rapporteur on torture, Sir Nigel Rodley has passed away and will be sorely missed.

Rights & counter-terrorism UN expert Ben Emmerson will assess Tunisia’s progress in the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism (30 January-3 February).

Urgent appeal UN human rights experts appeal to Bahrain to spare the lives of Mohammad Ramadan and Hussein Moosa, who are at risk of imminent execution.

Mexico / Impunity “Impunity has become both the cause and the effect of the overall insecurity of human rights defenders in Mexico” – UN expert Michel Forst.

Kyrgyzstan sentence Kyrgyzstan's decision to uphold a life sentence against political activist and journalist Azimjan Askarov is deeply troubling and highlights serious shortcomings in the country’s judicial system, Zeid says.

Reprisals in Myanmar “There is one word that has hung heavily on my mind during my recent visit to Myanmar: reprisals,” says UN human rights expert Yanghee Lee.

Torture prevention UN experts to visit Niger from 30 January to 3 February to assess the efforts made by the State to strengthen the protection of people in detention through independent monitoring.

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Briefing: Iran, Bahrain We urge the Iranian authorities not to execute Sajad Sanjari, a juvenile when he was sentenced to death in 2012. W urge Bahrain to impose a moratorium on the use of the death penalty after the execution by firing squad of three men in Bahrain on Sunday.

South Sudan High Commissioner Zeid warns that the unbridled outbursts of violence that occurred in South Sudan in July last year, as detailed in a UN report, could continue and quickly escalate in the absence of justice and accountability.

DRC / Growing instability Accountability for killings of protesters is vital, says the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein as DRC crisis continues.

Zeid at Davos High Commissioner Zeid calls on business leaders at Davos to use their considerable influence to stand up for human rights and to join in the fight to defend the global values that are currently under threat

Briefing note Reports of dozens of killings by police and soldiers in the DRC "deeply troubling". We call on Bahrain to release Nabeel Rajab, detained for exercising his right to freedom of expression.

Briefing note: Myanmar, Colombia, Two Covenants The UN Human Rights Office emphasises the potential of the Colombian peace agreement to improve the human rights situation in the country; Zeid urges Myanmar to look into the violence in the Rakhine state; all states are urged to uphold the rights of the two covenants (ICESCR and ICCPR).

Gambia elections The increased military presence deployed across The Gambia since President Yayha Jammeh rejected the election result risks heightening the current climate of intimidation and harassment in the country, Zeid warns.

Briefing notes: DRC Political accord in the DRC, an opportunity to ensure that everyone is able to fully exercise their right to freedoms of association and peaceful assembly, opinion, and expression.

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Rights & counter-terrorism UN expert Ben Emmerson will assess Tunisia’s progress in the promotion and protection of human rights while countering terrorism (30 January-3 February).

Dominican Republic UN rights experts urge all Dominican legislators to back President Medina’s stand on abortion, and protect women and girls’ rights to sexual and reproductive health in the country.

Urgent appeal UN human rights experts appeal to Bahrain to spare the lives of Mohammad Ramadan and Hussein Moosa, who are at risk of imminent execution.

Mexico / Impunity “Impunity has become both the cause and the effect of the overall insecurity of human rights defenders in Mexico” – UN expert Michel Forst.

Cambodia / Defenders Two UN experts call on Cambodia for the immediate release of five human rights defenders detained on charges seen as politically motivated.

Reprisals in Myanmar “There is one word that has hung heavily on my mind during my recent visit to Myanmar: reprisals,” says UN human rights expert Yanghee Lee.

Mission to CAR UN human rights expert Marie-Thérèse Keita Bocoum will carry out a follow-up mission to the Central African Republic (25 January to 3 February).

Côte d’Ivoire / Rights UN rights expert Mohammed Ayat warns about the challenges faced by Côte d’Ivoire in view of the imminent withdrawal of the UN Operation in the country.

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HRC reaffirms mandate of Commission on South Sudan The Council concluded its special session by reaffirming the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.

HRC condemns violations in South Sudan The Council concluded its special session on South Sudan after adopting a resolution in which it condemned the ongoing violations and abuses.

HRC opens special session on South Sudan The Council this morning opened its 26th special session to discuss the situation of human rights in South Sudan.

HRC Special Session on South Sudan The Council will hold a Special Session on the human rights situation in South Sudan on Wednesday, 14 December 2016

HRC elects new President and vice-Presidents for 2017 The Council elected its new bureau for 2017 at an organizational meeting, appointing Ambassador Joaquín Alexander Maza Martelli of El Salvador as 2017 President.

Rape in South Sudan Sexual violence has reached epic proportions and requires the urgent attention of the world, said the UN independent Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan after a visit during which they met women survivors.

South Sudan The world’s youngest country, South Sudan, is on the brink of catastrophe, said the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan at the end of a ten-day visit, urging the international community to prevent ethnic cleansing.

Eritrea and ICC UN Commission of Inquiry recommends that the situation in Eritrea be referred to the International Criminal Court, reporting numerous human rights violations including enslavement, imprisonment and torture.

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CRC reviews the report of Georgia The Committee on the Rights of the Child concludes its consideration of the fourth periodic report of Georgia on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Child rights: Serbia UN experts in Geneva examined Serbia's record on child rights.

Malawi's review Children’s rights in Malawi will be reviewed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on 30 and 31 January.

Child rights: DRC UN experts in Geneva examined the Democratic Republic of Congo's record on child rights in Geneva on 18 and 19 January.

Child rights: Barbados UN experts in Geneva examined Barbados' record on upholding children's rights on 17 - 18 January.

Iran executions UN experts call on Iran to halt the possibly imminent execution of a juvenile offender and to observe its international obligations by ending the execution of people for crimes committed when they were under 18.

Georgia's review Children’s rights in Georgia will be reviewed by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child on 25 January.

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Our priorities

Enhancing equality and countering discrimination

Combating impunity and strengthening accountability and the rule of law

Integrating human rights in development and in the economic sphere

Widening the democratic space

Strengthening international human rights mechanisms

Early warning and protection of human rights in situations of conflict, violence and insecurity

Resources

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"Accountability for the right to food" We can fulfill the universal right to food -- and we need accountability systems to ensure we do.

Global challenges to human rights 2017 will be a challenge to the human rights community. We will continue to monitor and denounce disregard of fundamental principles.

74th session of the Committee on the Rights of the Child Working to uphold the most widely ratified international human rights treaty: the Convention on the Rights of the Child

Enforced Disappearance: States Parties to the Convention In Syria and many other contexts, the Convention on Enforced Disappearance remains highly relevant

Celebrating and Appraising the Human Rights Covenants We must uphold the Covenants in the corridors of power and in the smallest of places too.

Risk of escalating violence in South Sudan Killings, gang rape and massive destruction: "South Sudan teeters on the brink of a disaster even more terrible than the calamities its people have already endured."

Report on Ukraine High Commissioner Zeid presents the latest report by the Office on Ukraine.

Human Rights Day event on Lake Leman Humble drops of water come together with great force in the famous jet d'eau.

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Annual Appeal 2016

The Annual Appeal 2016 provides information about our planned activities and needs for 2016

Right to development

Fact Sheet No. 37 FAQs on the Right to Development

Human Trafficking

Fact Sheet No. 36, Human Rights and Human Trafficking

Forced Evictions

Forced Evictions. Fact Sheet No. 25/Rev.1

Contract Negotiations

Principles for Responsible Contracts: Integrating the Management of Human Rights Risks into State-Investor Contract Negotiations - Guidance for Negotiators

Migrants

The Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of Migrants in an Irregular Situation

Racial Discrimination

Developing National Action Plans Against Racial Discrimination: A Practical Guide

Transitional Justice

Transitional Justice and Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

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Committee on the Rights of Child / 74th Session From: 16-01-2017
To: 03-02-2017
Palais Wilson

Working Group on Situations / 19th Session From: 30-01-2017
To: 17-02-2017
Palais Wilson 1st floor

Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances / 111th Session From: 06-02-2017
To: 10-02-2017
Seoul

Committee on the Rights of Child - Pre-sessional Working Group / 76th Session From: 06-02-2017
To: 10-02-2017
Palais Wilson Ground Floor

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Working Group on Communications / 37th Session From: 07-02-2017
To: 10-02-2017
Palais des Nations Room XVI

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Working on inquiries / 6th Session From: 09-02-2017
To: 10-02-2017
Palais Wilson 1016

Human Rights Council – Organizational meeting for 34th session From: 13-02-2017
To: 13-02-2017
Palais des Nations Room XIX

Working Group on the Issue of Human Rights and Transnational Corporations and other Business Enterprises / 16th Session From: 13-02-2017
To: 17-02-2017
Palais des Nations Room VII

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UN Charter Body Database

Search for documents and information pertaining to UN Charter-based human rights bodies, including the Human Rights Council and Special Procedures.

Universal Periodic Review

Access information and documents about states that were part of the periodic review of the human rights. It includes documents submitted by countries themselves, UN agencies and external parties.

National Human Rights Institutions Website

Find information on National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and the International Coordinating Committee for National Human Rights Institutions (ICC).

Universal Human Rights Index

Access country-specific human rights recommendations and information emanating from international human rights mechanisms in the UN system: the Treaty Bodies, the Special Procedures and the Universal Periodic Review (UPR).

Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) Database

Access translations of the UDHR, a milestone document in the history of human rights, into over 460 different languages and dialects.

Anti-discrimination Database

Search for information, policies and measures taken at the international, regional and national levels to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Human Rights Education and Training Database

Search worldwide for institutions, programmes and materials that aim to foster human rights education and training.

Jurisprudence Database

Access jurisprudence emanating from the United Nations Treaty Bodies that receive and consider complaints from individuals.

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Treaty BodiesSchedule of country reviews Deadlines for the submission of documentation Information by country - ratification status, reporting cycles and documentation Elections of Treaty Body Members
Special ProceduresOverview of visits by Special Procedures Upcoming country visits History of country visits since 1998 Countries with standing invitations
Universal Periodic ReviewOverview Documentation by country