Historic UN position dedicated to combatting violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people around the world has commenced with public consultations in Geneva.
Given how much effort was required to secure the creation of the new UN expert position – which even faced a last minute challenge during the last General Assembly session of 2016 – it was fantastic to have the opportunity to finally welcome Vitit Muntarbhorn to the role by hosting a reception for him with our friends at ILGA World.
The reception provided a relaxed and informal opportunity for civil society members and State representatives to meet and greet Professor Muntarbhorn ahead of the public consultation sessions he held in Geneva about his mandate.
Professor Muntarbhorn, a former ISHR board member, will be a dedicated advocate for LGBT rights, and will research and consult with communities, engage with governments, and provide technical assistance to develop tangible strategies for filling the gap in legal protections aimed at reducing violent hate.
A newly-released confidential letter by a UN Special Rapporteur documents the disbarment of human rights lawyers in China and the tightening ideological control over lawyers and law firms. The UN expert denounces disappearances, closed-door trials, harassment of relatives, travel bans, and other abuses targeting human rights lawyers.
On Tuesday 16 April 2024, ISHR delivered to both Geneva’s Administrative Council and its legislative counterpart, the Municipal Council, physical copies of the more than 1000 signatures collected in support of a memorial honouring Chinese human rights defender Cao Shunli.
The 79th Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights will be held in Banjul, The Gambia, from 14 May to 3 June 2024. The session will be preceded by the NGO Forum, which will be held in hybrid format from the 11-13 May 2024.
