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Victims twice over
Annual appeal 2017
Student festival keynote
Civilian plight in Yemen
Stand Up campaign

Ukraine conflict: End impunity for sexual violence

“What’s the point of saying what happened to me? No one will punish them.” UN report documents how survivors of sexual assault in the context of the armed conflict in Ukraine are often denied justice.
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Investment in human rights today makes for prevention tomorrow

The UN Human Rights Office launches a 253M USD funding appeal, urging States and private donors to support its work, through its 60 field presences and partnerships with others, to bolster human rights protections in an uncertain world.
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"Stand up and join the struggle to uphold human rights"

At the ISFIT student festival in Norway, Deputy High Commissioner Kate Gilmore urged students from all over the world to uphold the vital principles of equality, justice, dignity and respect.
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Civilians in Yemen caught between warring parties

Civilians were trapped and targeted during fighting in Al Mokha, and there are real fears that the situation will repeat itself in the port of Al Hudaidah, to the north of Al Mokha, where air strikes are already intensifying, Zeid warns.
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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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Funding appeal The UN Human Rights Office launches its most ambitious funding appeal yet, urging States and private donors to bolster the Office’s ability to work and stand up for human rights for all people, everywhere in an uncertain world.

Sexual Violence Survivors of sexual violence committed in the context of the conflict in Ukraine are often denied justice and left without adequate care and counselling, causing them to be victimized twice, UN report says.

Briefing notes: DRC, Guatemala Troubling reports of killings in the Kasai Central Province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Smear campaigns directed against the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala.

Germany / Racism A UN expert group will visit Germany from 20 to 27 February to study the human rights situation of people of African descent in the country.

Civilian plight in Yemen Civilians were trapped and targeted during fighting in Al Mokha, and there are real fears that the situation will repeat itself in the port of Al Hudaidah, to the north of Al Mokha, where air strikes are already intensifying, Zeid warns.

Mission to Tunisia UN expert Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky to assess the effect of adjustment policies on the enjoyment of economic and social rights in Tunisia (20-28 February).

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.

Call for solidarity Zeid and other UN Chiefs stress the need for a comprehensive approach to address the situation of migrants and refugees in Libya and to assist the hundreds of thousands of Libyans displaced and affected by the crisis.

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Briefing notes: Yemen, Iran Fears for civilians in Yemen, reportedly targeted and trapped by fighting in Al Mokha. Iran is urged to end the execution of juveniles, as we welcome reports that some sentences have been suspended or commuted.

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.

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Germany / Racism A UN expert group will visit Germany from 20 to 27 February to study the human rights situation of people of African descent in the country.

Mission to Tunisia UN expert Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky to assess the effect of adjustment policies on the enjoyment of economic and social rights in Tunisia (20-28 February).

Crackdown on NGOs UN experts urge Kenya to stop its systematic “crackdown” on rights groups to ensure the next elections can be conducted in free and favourable conditions.

Internet cut off “An appalling violation of their right to freedom of expression” – UN expert urges Cameroon to restore internet services to English-speaking areas.

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).

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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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Micronesia review Micronesia’s record on women’s rights will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women on 24 February.

Rwanda review Rwanda’s record on women’s rights will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 23 February.

Sri Lanka review Sri Lanka’s record on women’s rights will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 22 February.

El Salvador review El Salvador’s record on women’s rights will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 17 February.

Germany review Germany's record on women’s rights will be examined by the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) on 21 February.

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.

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.

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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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2017 Annual Appeal States can stand up for rights by supporting the Office

Student festival keynote At the ISFIT student festival in Norway, Deputy High Commissioner Kate Gilmore urged students from all over the world to uphold the vital principles of equality, justice, dignity and respect.

"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."

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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 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

Sub-Committee on Prevention of Torture / 31st Session From: 13-02-2017
To: 17-02-2017
Palais des Nations Room XXVI

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women / 66th Session From: 13-02-2017
To: 03-03-2017
Palais des Nations Room XVI

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights / 60th Session From: 20-02-2017
To: 24-02-2017
Palais Wilson Gr

Advisory Committee of the Human Rights Council / 18th Session From: 20-02-2017
To: 24-02-2017
Palais des Nations Room XX, XXII, XXIII, XXIV

Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights - Pre-sessional Working Group / 60th Session From: 27-02-2017
To: 03-03-2017
Palais Wilson 1st

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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