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Libya Gaddafi regime trial: Missed opportunity for justice

UN report makes key recommendations for the Libyan justice system, finding that the trial of 37 members of Col Muammar Gaddafi’s regime fell short of international standards.
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Conflict and violence are the offspring of human rights violations

At a major human rights conference in the Arab region, Deputy High Commissioner Kate Gilmore speaks to the power of human rights to prevent conflicts and rebuild broken societies.
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Film festival: the road to safety

The 2017 edition of the Global Road Safety Film Festival marks 10 years of raising awareness of safety of the world’s road and preventing road traffic casualties and injuries.
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Zeid calls for immediate halt to DRC killings

Zeid calls on the DRC Government to act amid credible allegations of massive human rights violations in the DRC, including people being targeted by soldiers for their alleged affiliation with a local militia.
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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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Libya trial The trial in Libya of 37 members of Col Muammar Gaddafi’s regime was a missed opportunity for justice, Zeid says, as UN report details it fell short of international fair trial standards.

DRC killings Zeid calls on the DRC Government to take immediate steps to halt widespread human rights violations, including apparent summary executions, by the country's armed forces.

Rights in Arab region A major human rights conference brings together our experts, Government representatives, regional and national institutions as well as NGOs to strategize ways to ensure human rights protections for all in the Arab Region.

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.

'Shocking devastation' Holding the perpetrators of the war waged against the people of South Sudan to account for their actions is the only way of ending the onslaught, senior UN official Andrew Gilmour says at the end of a visit to the country.

USA / Indigenous peoples UN expert Victoria Tauli-Corpuz will visit the USA to assess the impact of energy development projects on indigenous peoples’ rights (22 Feb-3 Mar).

Cox’s Bazar UN expert Yanghee Lee to assess the human rights situation of the specific population from Myanmar forced to cross into Bangladesh (20 to 23 February).

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.

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DRC killings Zeid calls on the DRC Government to take immediate steps to halt widespread human rights violations, including apparent summary executions, by the country's armed forces.

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.

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.

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: 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.

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USA / Indigenous peoples UN expert Victoria Tauli-Corpuz will visit the USA to assess the impact of energy development projects on indigenous peoples’ rights (22 Feb-3 Mar).

Cox’s Bazar UN expert Yanghee Lee to assess the human rights situation of the specific population from Myanmar forced to cross into Bangladesh (20 to 23 February).

Action on social justice UN human rights experts call on governments around the world to honour World Day of Social Justice on 20 February by taking action now for a fairer society.

'Where are they?' “Kenya and South Sudan must reveal fate of two abducted S. Sudanese” – UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances.

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.

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HRC Advisory Committee 18th session The18th session of the HRC Advisory Committee will take place from 20 to 24 February 2017 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

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.

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Salvador reviewed UN experts reviewed the record of El Salvador on the situation of women on the 17 February.

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

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.

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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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Global Road Safety Film Festival Changing behaviours and saving lives

Rights in the Arab Region Deputy High Commissioner Kate Gilmore on the power of human rights to prevent conflicts and rebuild broken societies.

10th anniversary of the Convention on Enforced Disappearance Pushing forward with a powerfully relevant Convention.

Stability vs. politics Standing up for human rights is the best answer to spreading protectionism, nationalism and apparent attempts to undermine international law: Zeid

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.

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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 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

Human Rights Committee / 119th Session From: 27-02-2017
To: 03-03-2017
Palais Wilson Gr

Human Rights Council / 34th Session From: 27-02-2017
To: 24-03-2017
Palais des Nations Room XX

Global Alliance of the National Human Rights Institutions / 30th Session From: 06-03-2017
To: 08-03-2017
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Pre-sessional Working Group / 68th Session From: 06-03-2017
To: 10-03-2017
Palais des Nations Room XVI

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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