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The Human Rights Council: The Basics

ISHR @ishr.ch · 20h

The success of the #HRC hinges on the commitment of its members to advocate for #HumanRights both domestically& internationally.

The elections will take place on 14 October at the #UN General Assembly, with all #UN Member States participating in the voting process.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ymr...

YouTube video by ISHRGlobal

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ISHR @ishr.ch · 20h

#HRC consists of 47 Member States, entrusted with the important task of strengthening the global promotion & protection of #HumanRights while addressing violations wherever they may occur.

Call for the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action

ISHR @ishr.ch · 1d

Call for the full implementation of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA)

ISHR and CND issued a joint statement urging States to fully implement the DDPA.

👉 Read more: https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/ishr-and-cnd-call-for-the-full-implementation-of-the-ddpa/

On 1 October 2025, the Working Group of Experts of People of African Descent (WGEPAD) presented their reports on reparatory justice to the Human Rights Council. The session was introduced by Bina…

To end racism, we first need reparations

ISHR @ishr.ch · 1d

To end racism, we first need reparations

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)'s report on reparatory justice recognises that reparations are necessary to dismantle systemic racism.

👉 Read more: https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/to-end-racism-we-first-need-reparations/

On 1 October 2025, OHCHR presented a report on reparatory justice together with the International Independent Expert Mechanism to Promote Racial Justice and Equality in Law Enforcement (EMLER)…

UNGA80: Joint statement on reprisals

ISHR @ishr.ch · 1d

UNGA80: Joint statement on reprisals

Ireland and Uruguay delivered a cross-regional statement on reprisals on behalf of 70 States and the European Union during a General Debate.

👉 Read more: https://ishr.ch/latest-updates/joint-statement-on-reprisals-delivered-at-the-third-committee-of-unga80/

A joint statement on reprisals for cooperation with the United Nations has been delivered annually at the General Assembly since 2019. Initially led by the United Kingdom, Ireland and Uruguay have…

HRC should integrate transitional justice into its discussions and resolutions on Yemen

ISHR @ishr.ch · 2d

HRC should integrate transitional justice into its discussions and resolutions on Yemen

Yemeni woman human rights defender Abha Abdullah Baawedan delivered a joint statement on behalf of ISHR, the Justice4Yemen Pact Coalition, and DT Institute.

👉 Read more: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Mr. President, This is a joint statement on behalf of ISHR, the Justice4Yemen Pact Coalition, and DT Institute. My name is Dr. Abha Abdullah Baawedan. I am a Yemeni human rights defender working and…

African Commission: Alert to NGO Forum and 85th Ordinary Session

ISHR @ishr.ch · 2d

African Commission: Alert to NGO Forum and 85th Ordinary Session

Will be held in The Gambia, from 21 to 30 October 2025. The public session will be preceded by the NGO Forum from 17 to 19 October 2025.

👉 Read more: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

The Forum on the Participation of NGOs in ordinary sessions of the African Commission, also known as the ‘NGO Forum’, is an advocacy platform coordinated by the African Centre for Democracy and Human…

Candidates’ scorecards to the 2025 HRC election

ISHR @ishr.ch · 2d

The #HRCelections2025 is approaching! On 14 Oct, it is of utmost importance that States select candidates who maintain the highest levels of respect for #HumanRights.

Check out how the human rights record of the countries competing for the 14 available seats this year:

ISHR has published ‘scorecards’ for States seeking election to the UN Human Rights Council for 2026-2028.

New case study on ISHR Academy: How human rights defenders advanced racial justice at the UN

ISHR @ishr.ch · 5d

New case study on ISHR Academy: How human rights defenders advanced racial justice at the UN

Our study shows how defenders demand accountability for Africans and people of African descent and confront systemic racism and police violence

👉 Read more:

Our new case study shows how human rights defenders, mobilising to demand accountability for Africans and people of African descent and confronting systemic racism and police violence in the US and worldwide, have achieved tangible impact at the UN. Discover how their coordinated efforts raised awareness and generated significant recognition within the UN.

Key issues on the agenda of the General Assembly’s 80th session’s Third Committee

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ISHR @ishr.ch · 5d

Key issues on the agenda of the General Assembly’s 80th session’s Third Committee

This year’s session will run for 7 weeks from 3 October to 21 November 2025. The Committee will be chaired by the Permanent Representative of Thailand.

👉 Read more:

The Third Committee is a key moment in the year for UN Member States to take action in support of the respect of human rights globally, through the negotiation and adoption of resolutions focused on…

Niger: Defenders call for the establishment of a protection mechanism

ISHR @ishr.ch · 7d

‘Water is to protected. Water is not for sale. Water is to be defended.’ Meet Doris Ramírez, a fisherwoman and fisherfolk’s union representative from Guatemala’s southern coast. After her husband’s passing, she embraced activism to defend her community.
🌊✊Read her story: ishr.ch/defender-sto...

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ISHR @ishr.ch · 7d

Niger: Defenders call for the establishment of a protection mechanism

Réseau Nigérien des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (RNDDH) and ISHR organised a workshop on the establishment of a national mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders in Niger.

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The establishment of a national mechanism for the protection of human rights defenders enables the competent authority to develop procedures and coordinate actions necessary for the protection of…

Niger: Defenders’ network strengthens civil society capacities

ISHR @ishr.ch · 7d

Niger: Defenders' network strengthens civil society capacities

Réseau Nigérien des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (RNDDH) and ISHR, organised a workshop on the dissemination of the law defining the rights and duties of human rights defenders in Niger.

👉 Read more:

Niger, like several other West African countries, has adopted a law defining the recognition and protection of human rights defenders, thereby establishing a legal framework for the protection of…

Mali: New manual on protecting human rights defenders

ISHR @ishr.ch · 8d

Mali: New manual on protecting human rights defenders

The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Mali has developed a manual on the protection of human rights defenders to facilitate implementation of its protection mandate.

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The socio-political and security situation in Mali since 2012 has exposed human rights defenders to multiple risks. These risks include intimidation, harassment, abduction, arbitrary arrest…

Mali: National human rights institution provides training to defenders

ISHR @ishr.ch · 8d

Mali: National human rights institution provides training to defenders

With financial support from ISHR, the National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) of Mali organised a training workshop on the legal framework and the national mechanism for their protection.

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Human rights defenders play an essential role in protecting everyone's rights and assisting victims of human rights abuses and violations. Given the socio-political and security situation in the…

Afghanistan: Joint civil society statement on CEDAW initiative

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ISHR @ishr.ch · 8d

Afghanistan: Joint civil society statement on CEDAW initiative

To hold Afghanistan accountable under the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).

👉 Read more: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

One year ago, on 25 September 2024, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands announced their intention to hold Afghanistan accountable for violations of women’s and girls’ rights under CEDAW.

ISHR @ishr.ch · 8d

❓❔ #HRCelections2025: Find all the questions submitted to candidate States ahead of our pledging event with @amnesty.org on 4 September, including those to candidates who did not participate in the event.
➤ ishr.ch/wp-content/u...

Solidarity statement with Palestinian organisations in the face of Israel’s genocide

ISHR @ishr.ch · 12d

Our organisations decry the systematic trend of repression of Palestinian solidarity, a coordinated effort by State and private actors to silence Palestinian voices. Please sign our solidarity statement here:

We stand in solidarity with Palestinian organisations and human rights defenders worldwide working to uphold international law in the face of Israel’s genocide¹ and colonial apartheid against the…

China’s systemic arbitrary detention persists three years on from UN’s Xinjiang report

ISHR @ishr.ch · 12d

China’s systemic arbitrary detention persists three years on from UN’s Xinjiang report

The High Commissioner admits little progress while civil society warns the Council’s credibility is at stake.

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In his global update opening the 60th session of the Human Rights Council (HRC60) in Geneva, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said the progress his Office (OHCHR) has sought for the…

HRC60: UN flags repression of defenders, including by Human Rights Council members

ISHR @ishr.ch · 12d

HRC60: UN flags repression of defenders, including by Human Rights Council members

10 of the 32 States reported to have retaliated against individuals or groups who sought to engage with the United Nations are sitting members of the Human Rights Council.

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The Human Rights Council debated the annual report of the UN Secretary-General on reprisals against persons or individuals working or seeking to work with the United Nations – which this year cited…

UNGA80: Over 270 civil society groups urge States to defend human rights, refugee protections

ISHR @ishr.ch · 14d

UNGA80: Over 270 civil society groups urge States to defend human rights, refugee protections

An open letter urging Member States to safeguard refugee and humanitarian treaties from attacks by the US and other States.

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As State leaders gather in New York to kick off the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), over 270* human rights, humanitarian, and faith-based organisations from around the world released…

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ISHR @ishr.ch · 14d

🚨Tomorrow at #HRC60!
Join us for '15 Years of Reprisal in the MENA Region'. 🗓 25 Sept | ⏰ 2 – 3 PM | 📍 Room XI, Palais des Nations.

#HumanRights

ISHR @ishr.ch · 14d

At #WHRDAdvocacyWeek, women defenders are strengthening their skills through various activities. Today, they also gathered for an NGO breakfast, creating space to share experiences and build networks. Together, they are receiving information on how to use global mechanisms to protect #HumanRights.

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ISHR @ishr.ch · 14d

Join us this afternoon for 'Women Human Rights Defenders: Documenting to Protect'. A discussion on how documentation can serve as a protection strategy from an intersectional perspective.

🗓️ 24 Sep | ⏰ 1–2pm | 📍Palais des Nations, Room XI

#HRC60 #WHRDAdvocacyWeek