Latest updates
Read on to remain up to date with the latest international human rights news, views and developments!
Nicaragua: it will take ‘many years and resources’ to re-establish rule of law, respect for human rights
During an interactive dialogue with States at the Human Rights Council, the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua (GHREN) once again expressed its frustration at the lack of cooperation from the Nicaraguan authorities.
Afghan women defenders call for accountability for ongoing and systematic human rights violations
Nazifa Jalali, along with ISHR, called on UN Member States to establish a mandated investigative mechanism to contribute towards accountability for the Taliban's human rights violations, and for States to continue to support Afghanistan’s human rights movement.
Canada must address systemic racism affecting people of African descent
During the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, ISHR supported defender Ricardo Lamour from Bout du Monde to engage with the adoption of the Universal Periodic Review report on Canada. Canada must recognise people of African descent as a distinct group! Read the joint statement below.
Addressing transnational repression against human rights defenders
At the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, ISHR's Executive Director Phil Lynch joined a panel of State representatives, UN experts, and civil society actors in discussing transnational repression, delving into its definition, forms, and vital recommendations for States and experts in moving forward.
HRC55: OHCHR remains suspended as repression in Venezuela increases
In the context of increased repression in Venezuela, UN officials, experts and States call for the respect for human rights defenders, the release of those arbitrarily detained, fair elections and the unconditional return of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
HRC55: China fails in disrupting tribute at UN to Cao Shunli, ten years after her death in custody
Despite protests from China and its allies, human rights organisations paid a public tribute to the late activist Cao Shunli during a debate at the UN Human Rights Council, ten years after her death. A victim of ‘deadly reprisals’ against her activism, Cao died in March 2014 after months of arbitrary detention in China.
HRC55: Guatemala faces a historic opportunity but also serious challenges
Before the Human Rights Council, Guatemalan Indigenous defenders spoke of the 'historic opportunity' that Guatemala is experiencing but also of the deep systemic problems that must be urgently addressed.
French Guiana: Indigenous Kali’na people appeal to UN to stop power plant project encroaching on their land
The Indigenous Kali'na community of the village of Prospérité have filed a request to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination to activate an early warning procedure that would urge French authorities to halt construction of a power plant on land that is essential to their way of life.
Rights groups call on Geneva to install permanent monument for Cao Shunli and all victims of deadly reprisals
Ten years after her death in custody on 14 March 2014, civil society, UN staff, and diplomats paid tribute to Chinese woman human rights defender, Cao Shunli, in a solemn reception outside the UN headquarters. Rights groups unveiled a commemorative bust of Cao, calling on Geneva’s local authorities to make it a permanent public homage to her memory and that of all human rights defenders targeted for cooperating with the UN.
States must urge China to hold independent, impartial investigation into Cao Shunli’s death
31 human rights organisations released a joint statement on the 10-year anniversary of ‘deadly reprisals’ against Chinese activist Cao Shunli.
Release all arbitrarily detained defenders in the Philippines
As she is ‘almost free’, former Senator de Lima along with ISHR calls on the Human Rights Council to release others who remain arbitrarily detained in the Philippines.