We work in solidarity with defenders to achieve freedom, dignity, equality and justice, and partner with them to strengthen human right laws and systems.
About us
Through our programmes, we support and act in solidarity with human rights defenders, contributing to a world that is fair, just and peaceful, in which all people can live free and equal, in communities that are diverse and inclusive.
The Human Rights Council renewed the mandates of its Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela and of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to monitor human rights in the country, at a time when global scrutiny is more needed than ever to ensure reforms respect and protect human rights.
This briefing highlights ISHR’s key priorities at the Third Committee of the 81st session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA81). At UNGA81, States must defend the integrity and effectiveness of the international human rights system amid growing political and financial pressures. ISHR’s priorities for the Third Committee include strengthening protection for human rights defenders, countering reprisals and transnational repression, resisting rollbacks on gender equality, SRHR and SOGI, and safeguarding adequately resourced UN human rights mechanisms. The briefing also highlights country situations requiring principled action, including China and Nicaragua, and opportunities for civil society engagement throughout the session.
In March 2025, the GANHRI accreditation body gave India's National Human Rights Commission one year to comply with the Paris Principles. Meanwhile, police still investigate police, appointments lack transparency and pluralism, civil society is sidelined, and serious violations go unaddressed. As such, ISHR urges a downgrade at November's review.
ISHR Academy is ISHR's e-learning space, helping human rights defenders strengthen their advocacy skills with the UN for greater impact on the ground. Our learning modules demystify the UN human rights system and build capacity to push for change. Discover new tools, insider tips, defender stories, and more!
'A desirable future would be a country full of peace and prosperity, where all genders would have access to their basic rights and to justice.'
Women human rights defenders have historically been at the forefront of human rights progress relating to gender and equality, creating and implementing campaigns for change.
LGBTQI+ rights defenders work toward enhanced respect, dignity, equality and a world free from violence and discrimination for their communities, for everyone!
Responsible business should support human rights and people who defend them. Companies can take concrete actions to protect defenders and the 'shared space' in which both operate!
Land, climate and environmental rights defenders work against the clock to address the climate crisis and help us all live on a healthy, sustainable planet.
ISHR has permanent offices in Geneva and New York, enabling us to build and leverage our distinctive expertise and networks at the UN and among key diplomats for the benefit of defenders. ISHR establishes presences in strategic locations from time-to-time as is appropriate and necessary to best enable achievement of our goals. As is the case with our office in Abidjan in Cote d’Ivoire, such presences may include the co-location or secondment of ISHR staff with key national and regional human rights defender organisations or networks or the relocation of staff to provide enhanced access to key decision-makers.
We support defenders, strengthen laws and systems for their protection and contribute to a safe and enabling environment for them at the national, regional and international levels.
Number of people accessing information and support through the ISHR Academy in 2024.
Number of human rights defenders to whom ISHR provided training or advocacy support in 2025.
Percentage of recommendations made by ISHR and taken up by States in the Universal Periodic Review in 2023.
© Lorena Rossi
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