The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) has launched a new database of information on combatting racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. The database includes examples of existing protections and practices used at the regional, national, and international levels, including: treaties, relevant decisions from domestic and supranational courts, texts of legal provisions (e.g., legislation
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UN Human Rights Commissioner Reviews Pressing Concerns in Opening Statement at the UN Human Rights Council’s 24th Session
On the first day of the Human Rights Council’s 24th Regular Session, held in Geneva from September 9 to 27, UN Human Rights Commissioner Navi Pillay identified a broad range of human rights concerns in her opening statement. She discussed both emerging issues and ongoing human rights violations throughout the world while paying specific attention to the “appalling situation” in Syria.
Read moreReflecting on the Vienna Declaration 20 Years Later
Last week, human rights defenders and the United Nations commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Program of Action and the 1993 World Conference on Human Rights with parallel international conferences reflecting on advances in human rights over the past two decades. Though not legally binding itself, the Vienna Declaration reiterated basic civil, political, and economic freedoms enshrined in
Read moreUpcoming Opportunities for Civil Society and Indigenous Peoples' Involvement in UN Human Rights Mechanisms
In June and July, there are several key opportunities for civil society, and particularly for indigenous peoples, to become involved with the programs of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People, the Universal Periodic Review, and the UN human rights treaty bodies.
Read moreUN High Commissioner Navi Pillay to Present OHCHR Annual Report for 2012
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, will present the 2012 annual report of her office on May 24, 2013 in Geneva. The report provides an assessment of the current state of human rights with respect to six thematic priorities and reviews efforts by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) over the last
Read moreHuman Rights Bodies Call for End to Discrimination, Intolerance on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia
International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia, celebrated annually on May 17, serves as an opportunity to call attention to the challenges, stigma, and rights violations experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) individuals around the world. Today, many of the major human rights monitoring bodies released statements calling on governments to initiate or increase efforts to put an end
Read moreNominations for 2013 UN Human Rights Prize Due by July 5
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights (OHCHR) has opened nominations for the 2013 United Nations Prize for those who have made “outstanding contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights.” The award has been presented every five years since 1968, pursuant to General Assembly Resolution that also established the international year for human rights.
Read moreNew OHCHR Portal for Resources on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) recently launched an online portal for tools and information available for economic, social and cultural rights activists. While civil and political rights – like the rights to free speech and a fair trial – are often the center of international attention, the equally critical human rights related to economic, social,
Read moreHigh Commissioner for Human Rights Seeks Civil Society Input on Nominations and Reports
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) is soliciting input on pending reports, feedback on its management plan, and nominations for newly-created special procedures from civil society in April and May. Candidates for Special Rapporteurs for Mali and Haiti OHCHR seeks the proposal of independent experts for nomination to one year Special Rapporteur mandates reporting
Read moreUN Human Rights Council Concludes 22nd Session with Resolutions on North Korea, Mali, Syria, and Human Rights Defenders
The United Nations Human Rights Council concluded its twenty-second regular session last week after adopting a number of decisions, statements and resolutions to address pressing concerns in a handful of countries, advance its work on a range of human rights issues, and call for greater protection of human rights defenders. [OHCHR] Among other notable decisions during the four-week session, the
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