The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes a global human rights challenge. It has a significant impact not only on health care systems, but also on the full, inclusive, and transparent functioning of the UN and its human rights mechanisms. This page presents ISHR's responses and action to support human rights defenders, and strengthen the UN human rights system in face of this global crisis.
State action must be human rights compliant and protect human rights defenders
Virtual briefing of the High Commissioner for Human Rights
Human rights defenders are essential workers
Public-private partnerships can help UN’s work, but only if rights are respected
Principles and recommendations on ensuring civil society inclusion in UN discussions
Corporate accountability during the COVID-19 crisis: a call to governments, businesses and investors.
At ISHR, there are five values driving our response to the COVID-19 global pandemic: Solidarity – Dynamism – Alertness – Wellbeing – Hope
— ISHR (@ISHRglobal) March 30, 2020
For live updates, follow @ISHRglobal on Twitter. Aquí en español. Ici en français. 中文推特请点此。
As States race to agree on the UN’s reformed 2026 budget, draft proposals threaten to gut the UN’s capacity to respond to escalating human rights crises. With negotiations entering a decisive final stretch, disproportionate cuts to the human rights pillar risk turning reform into retreat.
UN human rights mechanisms examined the situation in Guatemala regarding the right to adequate housing and racial discrimination, calling for an end to forced evictions against Indigenous communities and for the protection of land defenders, including Indigenous Peoples.
Led by Chile, 41 countries warned that proposed budget cuts under the UN80 initiative would severely weaken an already underfunded UN human rights pillar. As negotiations kick off in New York, ISHR urges States to prevent disproportionate cuts to human rights and ensure the international human rights system remains credible, effective and responsive.
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