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 moreCategory: UN Special Procedures
UN Expert Proposes Universal Standard for State Surveillance, Infringement on Right to Privacy
Last week, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression presented his report to the UN Human Rights Council concerning “the implications of States’ surveillance of communication on the exercise of the human rights to privacy and to freedom of opinion and expression.” These rights have their roots in the International Covenant
Read moreThe Right to Legal Aid: Observations of a UN Special Rapporteur
On May 30, Ms. Gabriela Knaul, the UN Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, presented her report on the right to legal aid to the UN Human Rights Council. Legal Aid as a Human Right In framing the report, the Rapporteur stresses that “[l]egal aid is an essential component of a fair and efficient justice system that
Read moreUnited Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Discusses Health, Education, and Culture at Twelfth Session
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will hold its Twelfth Session between May 20 to 31, 2013 at the UN Headquarters in New York City. The UNPFII is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). [UNPFII] Its mandate includes providing expertise and recommendations regarding indigenous issues to ECOSOC and UN programs, agencies, and funds;
Read moreOpen for Comments: Draft UN Principles on Remedies for Trafficked Persons
The UN Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially in women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, recently released the Draft Basic Principles on the Right to an Effective Remedy for Trafficked Persons. The Principles address both legal and procedural measures that States should take to support and assist survivors of trafficking, with attention to the particular vulnerability of trafficked children.
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
Read moreUN Special Rapporteur Addresses Possible Torture in Healthcare
UN Special Rapporteur on Torture, Mr. Juan Méndez, presented last week a controversial report to the UN Human Rights Council asserting that certain acts under national healthcare systems may violate the Convention against Torture (CAT). Special Rapporteur Méndez recognized that the report may arguably extend beyond his mandate as traditionally defined and into the realm of the “right to health,”
Read moreOpportunities to Contribute to UN Reports with March Deadlines
This month, civil society organizations and human rights defenders have the opportunity to contribute their comments on three upcoming UN reports on the topics of the right to peace, the relationship between human rights and traditional values, and the death penalty.
Read moreUN Special Rapporteur Initiates Investigation into Drone Strikes and Other Targeted Killings
On January 24, 2013, the UN Special Rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, Ben Emmerson, launched an investigation of States’ use of armed drones and other forms of targeted killing. The investigation will focus on the legal framework applicable to the use of drones and the technology’s impact on civilians by examining 25 case studies of strikes carried out by the
Read moreInternational Human Rights Experts, States Call for Inquiry into Human Rights Abuses in North Korea
The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, human rights advocates, and some States are publicly supporting the creation of an expert committee to more fully investigate and address the human rights situation in North Korea. Recent reports by victims have revealed shocking allegations, but relatively little is known about the extent of suspected abuses, given the
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