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Voices from the Field: South Sudan
Voices from the Field: Belarus
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Racism
HRC debate on racism

Working together to better protect South Sudan’s vulnerable during COVID-19

“Our individual resources and capabilities are limited but, when pulled together, our comparative advantages will facilitate greater results for the vulnerable groups we support,” says Anthony Nwapa, team leader at the UN Mission in South Sudan Human Rights Division in Eastern Equatoria State, South Sudan, of working with partners in South Sudan to promote human rights during COVID-19.
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Voices from the Field, Belarus: Defending the rights of the vulnerable in the face of the pandemic

“You cannot hope to effectively limit the spread of an infection if you leave entire parts of the population out of the effort,” says Omer Fisher, Senior Human Rights Adviser in Belarus.
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HC tells business leaders: build back better by focusing on the vulnerable

“Business needs to look beyond the generic categories of “stakeholders” – employees, suppliers, customers, communities – to give due consideration to those who are most vulnerable,” said UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said. She made her statement during a virtual gathering of more than 20,000 business, and sustainability leaders from across the globe.
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High Commissioner calls for strong action to combat racial discrimination in law enforcement and across society

"We need schools and universities that are free of bias; economies that give truly equal opportunities and fair treatment to all; political institutions that are more responsive and inclusive; justice systems which are truly just," the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council, in an urgent debate. "Pervasive racism corrodes institutions of government, entrenches inequality and underlies so many violations of human rights. The cycles of impunity which have permitted this to happen must end."
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Speakers urge definitive action to combat systemic racism

“I am asking you to help us – Black people in America,” said Philonise Floyd to the Human Rights Council. The death of his brother George in the USA in May led to global protests against racism and police brutality. It also led to an urgent debate on systemic racism during the Council’s 43rd session.
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News

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Syria: Civilians displacement Bachelet expresses concern over the conditions of thousands of civilians trapped in displacement camps in the aftermath of the defeat of ISIL.

Croatia: Migrant abuse UN experts urge the investigation of “repeated and ongoing disproportionate use of violence and degrading treatment” by Croatian police against migrants in pushback operations.

United States: Protests rhetoric UN expert says the loose use of terrorism rhetoric by the US Administration undermines legitimate protests and dampens freedom of expression in the United States.

COVID-19: Mental health UN expert urges a rethink to integrate human rights in a shift away from forcibly confining people with disabilities in psychiatric institutions.

Philippines: Journalist convictions A UN expert urges the reversal of verdicts handed down under the country’s Cybercrime Prevention Act and calls for reform of laws on defamation and so-called cyber-libel to ensure an independent media.

Israel: Annexation Forty-seven independent UN experts are urging international action to oppose Israel’s proposal to annex large parts of the occupied Palestinian West Bank after 1 July.

Yemen: Conflict and COVID-19 With Yemen’s health system on the brink of collapse, UN Human Rights Office fears that countless lives with be lost as result of not only COVID-19 but other diseases, including malaria and cholera.

Libya: Mercenaries UN experts urge parties to the conflict in Libya and the States supporting them to immediately stop recruiting, funding and deploying mercenaries and related actors to sustain hostilities.

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Syria: Civilians displacement Bachelet expresses concern over the conditions of thousands of civilians trapped in displacement camps in the aftermath of the defeat of ISIL.

Central African Republic The Deputy High-Commissioner spoke to the Human Rights Council about the human rights situation in the Central African Republic

China/Hong Kong security law Bachelet says that draft security law for Hong Kong SAR must fully comply with China’s human rights obligations.

Bahamas citizenship Recent court ruling in The Bahamas regarding the country’s citizenship laws is a positive step towards promoting gender equality and reducing the risk of statelessness

Sudan: Ali Kushayb in custody Bachelet says surrender of Sudanese militia leader Ali Kushayb into ICC custody is “extremely significant”.

DRC: 1,300 killed in 8 months Bachelet calls on community leaders and State authorities to address the long-standing causes of violence and prosecute those responsible for the brutal attacks on innocent civilians.

Philippines impunity Heavy-handed focus on countering national security threats and illegal drugs in the Philippines has led to killings and arbitrary detention, with victims deprived of justice, report finds.

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COVID-19: Mental health UN expert urges a rethink to integrate human rights in a shift away from forcibly confining people with disabilities in psychiatric institutions.

United States: Protests rhetoric UN expert says the loose use of terrorism rhetoric by the US Administration undermines legitimate protests and dampens freedom of expression in the United States.

Guatemala UN experts are concerned gender equality will be undermined if the Government downgrades its highest-ranking institution on women’s rights.

United States: LGBT, gender identity A Supreme Court ruling that it is unlawful to fire anyone because of sexual orientation or gender identity is a significant win in the battle to beat discrimination against LGBT and gender-diverse persons.

Israel: Annexation Forty-seven independent UN experts are urging international action to oppose Israel’s proposal to annex large parts of the occupied Palestinian West Bank after 1 July.

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The Council concludes its resumed 43rd session It adopted 43 texts, one of which to establish a fact-finding mission on Libya, and another to report on systemic racism

The Council adopts 13 resolutions The Council also requested the High Commissioner to immediately establish a fact-finding mission to Libya

Council adopts thirteen resolutions The Council adopted 13 resolutions in which, among other action, it extends 7 Special Procedures mandates

Council concludes high-level dialogue on CAR The Council concluded a dialogue on the Central African Republic, and heard reports including on Afghanistan

Human Rights Council adopts 14 resolutions The Human Rights Council this afternoon adopted 14 resolutions, including one on systemic racism

Central African Republic The Deputy High-Commissioner spoke to the Human Rights Council about the human rights situation in the Central African Republic

Council holds interactive dialogue on Libya The Council also concluded its discussion on Ukraine, and began a high-level dialogue on the Central African Republic

Council concludes its urgent debate on racism The Council also concluded its dialogue on Mali, and began its discussion on human rights in Ukraine

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US obligations to end racial discrimination The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination has called on the United States to uphold its international obligations under the Convention.

COVID and treaties Speaking to the Chairs of Treaty Bodies before the launch of the General Assembly's Treaty Body review, the High Commissioner lauded their vital and insightful work

Treaty Body review Speaking at the launch of the General Assembly's Treaty Body review, the High Commissioner lauded the valuable work of the Committees, providing victims an essential space for justice and remedy, and offering Member States in-depth guidance and recommendations

Right to education in Spain The UN child rights committee has welcomed Spain’s prompt decision to allow a 12-year old Moroccan girl to go to school in Melilla, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, setting a positive example for over 80 other similar unresolved instances.

Italy discriminates against female firefighters Italy violated the right of a woman to become a permanent firefighter by imposing an unnecessary and unreasonable height requirement, Human Rights Committee has found.

Livecast tribute to victims of enforced disappearances The UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances will hold its upcoming session online in what will be the first complete virtual session conducted by a UN treaty body.

COVID19: Raising women's voices Women’s rights committee calls for women’s equal representation in formulating COVID-19 responses and strategies to recover from the crisis.

Hungary's restrictions on people with disabilities Hungary’s guardianship system and institutionalisation on the basis of disability are grave and systematic violations of rights, UN experts found.

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Our priorities

Enhancing equality and countering discrimination

Strengthening the rule of law and accountability for human rights violations

Advancing sustainable development through human rights

Enhancing participation and protecting civic space

Increasing implementation of the outcomes of the human rights mechanisms

Preventing violations and strengthening protection of human rights

Resources

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Central African Republic The Deputy High-Commissioner spoke to the Human Rights Council about the human rights situation in the Central African Republic

Libya update In a wide-ranging briefing to the Human Rights Council, the Deputy High Commissioner noted the serious deterioration of human rights, and increased need for humanitarian assistance, across the country.

Ukraine update Briefing the Human Rights Council, the Deputy High Commissioner said all parties involved in hostilities in eastern Ukraine should implement a ceasefire, and coordinate a strong response to COVID-19

Racism "We need schools and universities that are free of bias; economies that give truly equal opportunities and fair treatment to all; political institutions that are more responsive and inclusive; justice systems which are truly just," the High Commissioner told the Human Rights Council, in an urgent debate. "Pervasive racism corrodes institutions of government, entrenches inequality and underlies so many violations of human rights. The cycles of impunity which have permitted this to happen must end."

Democratic Republic of Congo In an update to the Human Rights Council, the High Commissioner noted deep concerns about the worsening situation of several armed conflicts

Digital cooperation The High Commissioner spoke at an event on implementing the Secretary-General's roadmap to digital cooperation. She also said the roadmap can "guide us at the United Nations as we strengthen our efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and protect the human rights of all."

Internally displaced "To provide real and durable solutions for people who have been forced to flee their lands and homes, we need first to understand them as human beings – with dignity and rights", High Commissioner Bachelet said at the humanitarian affairs segment of ECOSOC.

Our work in 2019 Presenting the annual report of the Office, the High Commissioner noted many examples of significant human rights progress, despite financial constraints and other challenges

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The UN Human Rights Appeal 2020

The UN Human Rights Appeal 2020

Standing up for your rights

A collection of 16 stories highlighting the impact of our work around the world

Protecting LBGTi people

Living Free and Equal: Tackling Violence and Discrimination against LGBTi People

Human rights info. for Parliamentarians

Human Rights: Handbook for Parliamentarians (co-published with IPU)

Traditional justice in Africa

Human Rights and Traditional Justice Systems in Africa

National mechanisms for reporting and follow-up

NMRF: A Practical Guide to Effective State Engagement with International Human Rights Mechanisms

Right to development

FAQs on the Right to Development

Human rights and government budgets

Realizing Human Rights through Government Budgets

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Human Rights Council / 43rd (resumed) Session From: 15-06-2020
To: 23-06-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women / 76th Session From: 22-06-2020
To: 10-07-2020
Ariana 2

Human Rights Committee - Working Group on Communications / 129th Session From: 22-06-2020
To: 26-06-2020
PW Ground Floor

Human Rights Committee / 129th Session From: 29-06-2020
To: 24-07-2020
PW Gr and PW 1st

Expert Mechanism on the Right to Development / 1st Session From: 30-06-2020
To: 02-07-2020
New York

Human Rights Council / 44th Session From: 30-06-2020
To: 20-07-2020
Palais des Nations Room XX

Working Group on Situations / 26th Session From: 06-07-2020
To: 10-07-2020
Ariana 3

Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women - Pre-sessional Working Group / 78th Session From: 13-07-2020
To: 17-07-2020
Ariana 2

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