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Record number of child casualties in Afghanistan

Civilian casualties in Afghanistan reached a record high in 2016. More children than ever have been killed, blinded, crippled while playing with unexploded ordnance negligently left behind by parties to the conflict.
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Devastating cruelty against Rohingyas in Myanmar

A mother witnessing her child’s murder as she herself was being gang-raped is one of many shocking accounts of violence and violations told to UN Human Rights staff by Rohingyas who have fled Myanmar.
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Commemorating 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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“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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Afghanistan casualties A new UN report reveals the highest ever number of civilian casualties in a single year, including record figures for children killed and injured in 2016 in Afghanistan.

New report on Myanmar Gang-rapes, killings – including babies and young children, brutal beatings, massive destruction and other serious human rights violations by Myanmar’s security forces in northern Rakhine State.

Rights & counter-terrorism “The fight against extremism and terrorism in Tunisia should be grounded in human rights to serve as a model for the region” - UN expert Ben Emmerson.

Briefing notes: Myanmar and Ukraine New UN report on human rights violations in Rakhine State. OHCHR concerned about situation of civilians in eastern Ukraine following escalation in fighting.

Child rights UN experts issue their findings on how these countries - Barbados, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Estonia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Serbia, Georgia and Malawi - are tackling child rights.

Central African Republic UN expert Marie-Thérèse Keita-Bocoum urges all actors in the Central African Republic to seize the historic opportunity for justice, development and reconciliation.

Violence against women “Australia is no exception” – UN expert Dubravka Šimonović to assess the overall situation of violence against women in the country (13-27 February).

Unsupported allegation We strongly reject the totally unsupported allegation by the Government Accountability Project and the Inner City Press blog that it endangered four Chinese human rights defenders who attended the Human Rights Council in 2013.

Thailand / Lèse-majesté UN expert on freedom of expression David Kaye urges the authorities to stop using lèse-majesté provisions as a political tool to stifle critical speech.

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Afghanistan casualties A new UN report reveals the highest ever number of civilian casualties in a single year, including record figures for children killed and injured in 2016 in Afghanistan.

Briefing notes: Myanmar and Ukraine New UN report on human rights violations in Rakhine State. OHCHR concerned about situation of civilians in eastern Ukraine following escalation in fighting.

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.

Visit to Oman, Kuwait High Commissioner Zeid is visiting Oman and Kuwait from 4 to 8 February for high-level meetings.

Malta summit: Migrants Zeid welcomes continuing EU efforts to save the lives of migrants trying to cross the Mediterranean, as he urges States to abide by the principle of non-refoulement.

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.

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.

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Rights & counter-terrorism “The fight against extremism and terrorism in Tunisia should be grounded in human rights to serve as a model for the region” - UN expert Ben Emmerson.

Violence against women “Australia is no exception” – UN expert Dubravka Šimonović to assess the overall situation of violence against women in the country (13-27 February).

Central African Republic UN expert Marie-Thérèse Keita-Bocoum urges all actors in the Central African Republic to seize the historic opportunity for justice, development and reconciliation.

Mission to Sudan Independent Expert Aristide Nononsi will visit Sudan to follow up on the recommendations made by the UN human rights system (10 to 22 February).

Thailand / Lèse-majesté UN expert on freedom of expression David Kaye urges the authorities to stop using lèse-majesté provisions as a political tool to stifle critical speech.

Repression in Burundi A group of United Nations human rights experts raises alarm at growing repression of civil society organizations and human rights defenders in Burundi.

Israel / Settlements “Stop illegal settlements in the West Bank” – UN expert Michael Lynk urges the UN Security Council to ensure Israeli compliance with resolution 2334.

Malta Summit UN rights expert François Crépeau raises alarm about the European Commission’s plans to reduce the flow of migrants from the Libyan coast to Italy.

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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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Jordan review Jordan’s record on women’s rights will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 16 February.

Ireland review Ireland’s record on women’s rights will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 15 February.

Ukraine review Ukraine’s record on women’s rights will be reviewed by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 14 February.

Women's rights record UN women’s rights committee meets in Geneva 13 February - 3 March to review Ukraine, Ireland, Jordan, El Salvador, Germany, Sri Lanka, Rwanda and Micronesia

Niger: Torture prevention Niger has made progress in preventing torture but the challenge of establishing a National Preventive Mechanism remains - UN experts .

Urgent appeal to Iran UN rights experts urge Iran to halt the imminent execution of juvenile offender Hamid Ahmadi, who is scheduled to be executed by hanging on Saturday 4.

CRC: examination of the reports of Malawi The CRC concluded its consideration of the combined third to fifth periodic report of Malawi on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, and reviewed Malawi’s initial reports under two Optional Protocols to the Convention.

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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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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

Working Group on Communications / 20th Session From: 13-02-2017
To: 17-02-2017
Palais des Nations Room XXI

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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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