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Dangers of undermining international law and institutions

We must stand up for the principles and institutions which protect us from chaos; or will our generation trigger a return to injustice, hate, war, imperialism and the oppressive exercise of naked power? - Zeid
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Hunted for their body parts

The killing of human beings and the use of their body parts in amulets and potions in “traditional medicine” and in witchcraft is a crime, says the UN expert on the rights of people with albinism, Ikponwosa Ero.
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Preserve separation of powers, Zeid urges Venezuela

Zeid stresses the importance of the separation of powers for democracy and human rights, as he urges Venezuela’s Supreme Court to reconsider a ruling to strip the National Assembly of its legislative powers.
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Your views matter: Help the UN Human Rights Office define its strategic direction for 2018-2021

The UN Human Rights Office is defining its strategic direction for the next four years and would appreciate your input. Please take a brief survey to help us make the best strategic choices to stand up for human rights.
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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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Briefing: Syria, Gaza Sadly, the absolutely abhorrent attack on Khan Shaykun was far from an isolated incident, as civilians continue to perish on a daily basis in Syria. In Gaza, we condemn in the strongest terms the execution of three men, in breach of international law.

Venezuela ruling Zeid voices grave concern at the ruling by Venezuela’s Supreme Court to take over the legislative powers of the National Assembly, stressing that the separation of powers is essential for democracy.

Jordan and the ICC The High Commissioner very much regret that Jordan, a state party to the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, received the President of Sudan, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued.

Mission to Cuba First mission to Cuba in ten years by a Human Rights Council’s expert: Maria Grazia Giammarinaro will assess the situation of trafficking in persons.

World Health Day Ahead of World Health Day on 7 April, UN Special Rapporteur Dainius Pūras urges shift away from drugs to rights-based approach in depression treatment.

Appeal to Saudi Arabia UN experts on cultural rights, housing and poverty urge Saudi Arabia to halt forced evictions and the demolition of the Al-Masora neighborhood in Awamia.

“Tsunami” of imprisonment "Australia must reduce the astounding rates of imprisonment for indigenous peoples and step up the fight against racism" - UN expert Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

Jehovah’s Witness “Extremely worrying” – UN human rights experts urge the Russian Government to drop a Jehovah’s Witness lawsuit which threatens religious freedom.

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Global challenges The peril of undermining human rights.

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

Human shields in Mosul High Commissioner Zeid deplores the massive loss of civilian lives in west Mosul in recent days, with civilians being used as human shields by ISIL and losing their lives due to airstrikes, shelling and the use of explosive devices.

Civilian killings in Yemen The conflict in Yemen continues to rage after two years, with an intensification in hostilities, children starving and refugees and fishermen bombed, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein says.

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.

Racial discrimination States have no excuse for allowing racism and xenophobia to fester, much less flourish, Zeid says, as he urges more action to tackle the scourge of racist hate speech and hate crimes.

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Mission to Cuba First mission to Cuba in ten years by a Human Rights Council’s expert: Maria Grazia Giammarinaro will assess the situation of trafficking in persons.

World Health Day Ahead of World Health Day on 7 April, UN Special Rapporteur Dainius Pūras urges shift away from drugs to rights-based approach in depression treatment.

Appeal to Saudi Arabia UN experts on cultural rights, housing and poverty urge Saudi Arabia to halt forced evictions and the demolition of the Al-Masora neighborhood in Awamia.

Jehovah’s Witness “Extremely worrying” – UN human rights experts urge the Russian Government to drop a Jehovah’s Witness lawsuit which threatens religious freedom.

Indonesia / Right to health “Ambitious goals can be reached only if challenges are addressed” – UN expert on the right to health Dainius Pūras tells the Indonesian authorities.

“Tsunami” of imprisonment "Australia must reduce the astounding rates of imprisonment for indigenous peoples and step up the fight against racism" - UN expert Victoria Tauli-Corpuz.

US / Anti-protest bills Two UN human rights experts call on US lawmakers to stop the “alarming” trend of “undemocratic” anti-protest bills to curb freedom of assembly in the country.

UAE death penalty call The Government of the United Arab Emirates is being urged to prevent the execution of a woman sentenced to death in a trial that failed to reach international standards.

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UN Syrian Commission condemns Khan Shikhoun attack The Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic condemns in the strongest terms the attacks on the town of Khan Shikhoun in southern Idlib today which reportedly killed scores of civilians.

President of Chile addresses Council Michelle Bachelet, the President of Chile, addressed a special meeting of the Human Rights Council, saying that Chile.

President of Chile to address Council The Council will convene a special meeting as a matter of courtesy on 29 March 2017 on the occasion of the visit of Michelle Bachelet, President of Chile.

Council concludes 34th regular session The Council concluded its 34th regular session after adopting 41 resolutions and a Presidential Statement on a wide range of issues.

Council adopts six texts and closes its 34th session The Council adopted five resolutions and a President’s Statement, appointed Special Procedure mandate holders, and then closed its thirty-fourth regular session.

Council renews mandates on Syria and on racism The Council adopted 11 resolutions, renewing the mandate of the Commission of Inquiry on Syria for one year; and the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, and the Working Group on the Effective Implementation of the Durban Declaration for three years each.

Council decides to dispatch fact-finding mission to Myanmar The Council adopted 13 resolutions, in which it also decided to dispatch an independent, international fact-finding mission to establish the facts about alleged recent human rights violations by military and security forces and abuses in Myanmar, in particular in Rakhine State.

Foreign debt, HR defenders, on minority issues, and adequate housing The Council adopted 12 resolutions, in which it extended, for a period of three years, the mandates on human rights defenders, on minority issues, and on adequate housing, and on the effects of foreign debt.

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The Committee opens its twenty-sixth session The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families opened on 3 April, its twenty-sixth session, hearing from a representative from the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, and members of the Committee, civil society and non-governmental organizations.

Report of Honduras The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities concluded on 31 March, its consideration of the initial report of Honduras on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Torture prevention Hungary should immediately address the excessive use of detention, the UN Subcommittee on the Prevention of Torture (SPT) said after visiting the country.

Committee on Rights of Migrant Workers: Opening The Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families will hold its twenty-sixth session at the Palais Wilson in Geneva from 3 to 13 April 2017. It will consider Bangladesh, Jamaica and Nigeria.

Report of Armenia The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities concluded on 30 March, its consideration of the initial report of Armenia on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

The rights of migrant workers The UN Committee on Migrant Workers to review: Bangladesh, Jamaica and Nigeria from 3 to 13 April.

Report of Jordan The Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities concluded on 29 March, its consideration of the initial report of Jordan on its implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

Human Rights Committee meeting The Human Rights Committee held on 29 March, a public meeting in which it discussed its methods of work, after which the Committee closed its one hundred and nineteenth session. It adopted concluding observations and recommendations on Bangladesh, Serbia, Turkmenistan, Italy, Thailand, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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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 challenges The peril of undermining human rights.

Chile: a Human Rights Advocate Welcoming Pres. Michelle Bachelet to the Human Rights Council

Faith for Rights Exploring links between religious thought and rights

Successes in technical assistance Capacity building for human rights protection

Yemen and Afghanistan Reports on two critical situations

Report on Sri Lanka Measures to rebuild confidence should be accelerated.

Item 2 country reports Guatemala, Honduras, Colombia, Cyprus, and Iran

Libya report Extensive human rights violations and abuses

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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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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

Committee against Torture / 60th Session From: 18-04-2017
To: 12-05-2017
Palais Wilson 1st

Working Group on Arbitrary Detention / 78th Session From: 19-04-2017
To: 28-04-2017
Palais des Nations Room XI

Working Group on the use of mercenaries / 30th Session From: 24-04-2017
To: 28-04-2017
Palais des Nations XXVII

Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Victims of Torture / 45th Session From: 24-04-2017
To: 28-04-2017
Palais des Nations Room VIII

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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