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National Human Rights Institutions
Slavery and the slave trade
Accountability in Syria
Turkey violations
Stand Up campaign

National Human rights institutions link international law to local action

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussien speaks with Beate Rudolf, chair of the Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions during a recent meeting in Geneva. NHRIs provide an integral link between international human rights law and their countries.
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Undoing slavery's legacy of injustice and discrimination

The International Decade for People of African Descent, which will run until 2024, aims to honour and restore the dignity of people of African descent by raising awareness and sparking real change.
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International, impartial, independent: hope for accountability in Syria

Probably tens of thousands of people are currently detained in Syria. In a sense the entire country has become a torture chamber - a place of savage horror and absolute injustice.
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Serious rights violations in southeast Turkey

The displacement of thousands of people and the wholesale destruction of neighbourhoods in southeast Turkey during Government security operations are detailed in a UN report.
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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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Ukraine civilian suffering Escalation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine has exacerbated suffering, continuing its devastating impact on all aspects of civilian life.

Briefing notes: Libya Credible reports suggest summary executions, hostage-taking, arbitrary detentions, torture, and raids on civilian homes have been happening in the oil crescent area in eastern Libya since early March.

Philippines death penalty Lawmakers in the Philippines are being urged by two United Nations rights experts to reject a proposed Death Penalty Bill under consideration in Manila.

Enforced disappearances The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances has published its findings on Cuba, Ecuador and Senegal reviewed from 6 to 17 March

Indonesia health The steps taken by Indonesia and the challenges it faces in ensuring its people realise their right to health will be examined by a UN expert on a visit from 22 March to 3 April.

Torture prevention The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is due to visit Hungary from 20 to 31 March 2017

Safeguard minorities A UN expert has called for swift guarantees to safeguard the protection of minority rights after a worldwide rise in xenophobic rhetoric and incitement to hatred.

Disability rights Moldova, Iran, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Armenia, Honduras and Canada to be reviewed by the UN disability committee from 20 March to 12 April.

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Ukraine civilian suffering Escalation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine has exacerbated suffering, continuing its devastating impact on all aspects of civilian life.

Backlash against progress Zeid calls on all to stand up for women's rights, warning in a statement for International Women's Day of the dangers of recent reversals of fundamentally important legislation.

Briefing: Thailand, Yemen Thailand’s decision not to enact a draft anti-torture and anti-disappearance law is disappointing; troubling reports of the recruitment of children in Yemen for use in the armed conflict.

Sri Lanka justice Slow progress in Sri Lanka on the crucial issue of transitional justice risks derailing the momentum towards lasting peace, reconciliation and stability, report says.

Briefing: Elor Azaria The lenient sentence given to an Israeli soldier convicted of unlawfully killing a wounded Palestinian in an apparent extrajudicial execution of an unarmed man is deeply disturbing.

DRC violations DRC defence and security forces committed serious human rights violations when preventing and containing demonstrations in December 2016 - UN report.

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.

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Indonesia health The steps taken by Indonesia and the challenges it faces in ensuring its people realise their right to health will be examined by a UN expert on a visit from 22 March to 3 April.

Malawi albinism A fresh call for prompt action to protect people with albinism in Malawi is being made by a UN rights expert following a number of attacks across the country.

Philippines death penalty Lawmakers in the Philippines are being urged by two United Nations rights experts to reject a proposed Death Penalty Bill under consideration in Manila.

Safeguard minorities A UN expert has called for swift guarantees to safeguard the protection of minority rights after a worldwide rise in xenophobic rhetoric and incitement to hatred.

Belarus protests Belarus is being urged by a UN human rights expert to stop acts of violence and harassment against demonstrators and to respect freedom of peaceful assembly.

Australia indigenous The human rights situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Australia is to be examined by the UN Special Rapporteur, Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

Myanmar violations A fresh call for “prompt, thorough, independent investigations” into killings and other human rights violations in Myanmar is being made by a UN Expert.

Australia homeless Amendments to a local law in Melbourne, Australia, targeting homeless people living on the streets have triggered serious international human rights concern.

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General debates on UPR and HRC Mechanisms The Council held a general debate on the Universal Periodic Review and concluded the general debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms.

UPR outcomes of Haiti and South Sudan The Human Rights Council adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Haiti and South Sudan.

Racial profiling and incitement to hatred The Human Rights Council commemorated the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination with a debate on racial profiling and incitement to hatred, including in the context of migration.

UPR of Uganda, Timor-Leste and the Republic of Moldova The Council adopted the outcomes of the Universal Periodic Review of Uganda, Timor-Leste and the Republic of Moldova

UPR of Iceland, Zimbabwe and Lithuania The Human Rights Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Iceland, Zimbabwe and Lithuania.

UPR of Togo, Syria and Venezuela The Human Rights Council adopted the Universal Periodic Review outcomes of Togo, Syria and Venezuela.

Debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms The Council held a debate on human rights bodies and mechanisms after hearing the presentation of the reports of the Forum on Minority Issues; Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law; Social Forum; and the Coordination Committee of Special Procedures.

Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on minority issues The Human Rights Council held an interactive dialogue with Rita Izsák-Ndiaye, Special Rapporteur on minority issues.

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Enforced disappearances The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances has published its findings on Cuba, Ecuador and Senegal reviewed from 6 to 17 March

Torture prevention The United Nations Subcommittee on Prevention of Torture (SPT) is due to visit Hungary from 20 to 31 March 2017

Report of Bosnia and Herzegovina The Human Rights Committee concluded on 15 March, its consideration of the third periodic report of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Disability rights Moldova, Iran, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Armenia, Honduras and Canada to be reviewed by the UN disability committee from 20 March to 12 April.

Thailand report The Human Rights Committee concluded on 14 March, its consideration of the second periodic report of Thailand on its implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The report of Italy The Human Rights Committee concluded on 13 March, its consideration of the sixth periodic report of Italy on its implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

Bosnia and Herzegovina review The human rights record of Bosnia and Herzegovina will be reviewed by the UN Human Rights Committee on 14 and 15 March.

Report of Italy The Human Rights Committee concluded on 10 March, its consideration of the sixth periodic report of Italy on its implementation of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political 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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Slavery and the slave trade The International Decade for People of African Descent, which will run until 2024, aims to honour and restore the dignity of people of African descent by raising awareness and sparking real change.

Accountability in Syria Setting up the mechanism is a priority.

Situation in Burundi Statement by Andrew Gilmour, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, at the Burundi Configuration of the Peacebuilding Commission, New York, 13 March 2017

Stand up and protect each other All of us deserve understanding, respect and justice

Global Human Rights Update by HC Zeid Escalating human rights crises around the world

Global Alliance Of National Human Rights Institutions National human rights bodies are key actors in prevention.

Children's Rights and the 2030 Agenda All children have a right to live free of deprivation and violence.

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Annual Appeal 2017

The UN Human Rights Appeal 2017

Protecting LBGTi people

Living Free and Equal: Tackling Violence and Discrimination against LGBTi People

Human rights info. for Parliamentarians

Human Rights: Handbook for Parliamentarians (co-published with IPU)

Traditional justice in Africa

Human Rights and Traditional Justice Systems in Africa

National mechanisms for reporting and follow-up

NMRF: A Practical Guide to Effective State Engagement with International Human Rights Mechanisms

Right to development

FAQs on the Right to Development

Treaty bodies

Handbook for Human Rights Treaty Body Members

Migration

Migration, Human Rights and Governance: Handbook for Parliamentarians (co-published with IPU)

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

Human Rights Committee / 119th Session From: 06-03-2017
To: 29-03-2017
Palais Wilson Gr

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - Pre-sessional Working Group / 7th Session From: 13-03-2017
To: 20-03-2017
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation in the Field of Human Rights (TBC) / 44th Session From: 20-03-2017
To: 23-03-2017
Palais Wilson 1-016

Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities / 17th Session From: 20-03-2017
To: 12-04-2017
Palais des Nations Room XVII

Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent / 20th Session From: 03-04-2017
To: 07-04-2017
Palais des Nations XXI, XXII

Committee on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families / 26th Session From: 03-04-2017
To: 13-04-2017
Palais Wilson Gr

Working Group on the Right to Development / 18th Session From: 03-04-2017
To: 07-04-2017
Palais des Nations Rooms VII, XV

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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