Policy report

The emergence and evolution of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up

This report addresses one great unanswered question: how do States implement the recommendations they receive from the three main UN human rights mechanisms, thereby bringing national laws, policies, and practices into ever greater alignment with their obligations under IHRL?

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Policy report

Guide to the 2023 UN Human Rights Council Elections

The ninth annual yourHRC.org Guide to the Human Rights Council elections provides comprehensive at-a-glance information on the 2023 Council elections (which are scheduled to take place on 10 October at the General Assembly in New York), when States from all…

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Policy report

From reaction to prevention: report of transatlantic roundtable on prevention

Meeting report

This report summarises the transatlantic dialogue on prevention organised by International Crisis Group and the Universal Rights Group, in collaboration with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 20th February 2023.

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Policy report

For people; for planet: The long and winding road to UN recognition of the universal right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment

This report seeks to tell the story of the journey towards the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment (R2E) and address the three interlinked environmental crises facing the planet – the climate, biodiversity, and pollution…

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Policy report

Advancing Rights, Transforming Lives

This report reviews how the UN human rights system has taken up women’s rights, gender equality and sexual and reproductive health and rights and the degree to which these recommendations have been translated into action, with UNFPA’s support.

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Policy report

Unpacking the Right to a Healthy Environment: How national and regional laws and jurisprudence clarify the scope and content of the universal right

This report examines this body of practice, namely the features and best practices associated with the global implementation of the right to a healthy environment.

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Policy report

'A diamond in the rough’: how to strengthen the Human Rights Council's delivery of technical assistance and capacity building (Item 10 reform)

The policy brief provides thoughts on how the Council might strengthen the delivery of domestic capacity-building support in the future – how it might ‘reset and revitalize item 10.’

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Tool

What is the state of human rights and democracy around the world?

Is the situation of human rights around the world getting better or worse? Which UN member States are fulfilling their human rights obligations, and which are routinely violating the rights of their people? Is democracy really in retreat around the…

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Video

The urgent need to defend Environmental Human Rights Defenders

This video is a compilation of the voices and personal journeys of brave EHRDs from Latin America, Africa, and Asia-Pacific.

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URG Insights

Report on the 55th session of the Human Rights Council

by Geneva

Quick summary The 55th regular session of the Human Rights Council (HRC55) was held from Monday, 26 February 2024 to 5 April 2024. As the main session of the Council, HRC55 began with a High-Level Segment (HLS). The 2024 HLS included speeches by more than 130 world leaders, including two heads or deputy heads of State, eight heads or deputy heads of government, and 105 ministers or vice-ministers, as well as representatives from international organisations. An analysis of the content and focus of the high-level speeches can be read here. On 4 March, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights,…

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previous URG Insights

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The presence and legacy of landmines is a human rights issue: why the UN human rights system should engage in driving progress towards a mine-free world

The presence and legacy of landmines is a human rights…

On the 4th of April, as has been the case every year since the adoption of General Assembly resolution 60/97 in December 2005, the world observes the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action. This year, the annual commemoration comes at a time of multiple anniversaries –…

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The key human rights priorities of world governments at HRC55: an analysis of the High-Level Segment

The key human rights priorities of world governments at HRC55:…

The 3-day High-Level Segment of the 55th session of the Human Rights Council, held from 26 to 28 February 2024, saw the active participation of around 130 high-level dignitaries and officials, including 2 heads or deputy heads of State, 8 heads or deputy heads of government, and 105 ministers or vice-ministers, as well as representatives from international…

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In a ‘broken system,’ can the UN human rights machinery tilt the balance to help reverse rising inequalities?

In a ‘broken system,’ can the UN human rights machinery…

‘We are going backwards, inequalities are skyrocketing, climate change is burning and pounding our planet, and the number of people living in severe poverty has risen, for the first time in a generation. [...] The system is broken.’ These were the sombre words chosen by the High Commissioner for Human…

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Latest policy report

April 2024

The emergence and evolution of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up

The emergence and evolution of National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up report cover

Universal Rights Group's groundbreaking new policy report on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting, and follow-up (NMIRFs) addresses head-on, and for the first time, one of…

Download View online

Previous policy reports

The Human Rights Council in 2023

What were the main developments, achievements and flash-points at the Human Rights Council in 2023? What were the Council’s principle outputs and what kind of…

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Glion IX: Placing NETs at the service of human rights and democracy

The ninth Glion Human Rights Dialogue (Glion IX), organised by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in Geneva and…

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Guide to the 2023 UN Human Rights Council Elections

The ninth annual yourHRC.org Guide to the Human Rights Council elections provides comprehensive at-a-glance information on the 2023 Council elections (which are scheduled to take…

Read more
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future events

Oslo+4 meeting of international development partners

On 6-7 May 2024, the European Commission’s HRBA expert group, with the support of the Belgium Presidency and Universal Rights Group, will convene the Oslo+4 meeting at the British Residence (17, rue Ducale/Hertogsstraat). In addition to continuing to provide a space for bilateral...

  • May 6, 2024 - All Day
  • British Residence / Brussels
  • By invitation only

past events

Engaging the UN human rights system in driving progress towards a mine-free world: HRC55 side event

Ahead of International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action (4 April), and on behalf of the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Croatia to the United Nations in Geneva, the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Kazakhstan...

  • March 28, 2024 - 12:00 - 13:00
  • Room XXII, Palais des Nations / Geneva
  • By invitation only

Informal meeting between the delegates of the Trust Fund and the Contact Group on an inclusive and diverse HRC membership

The co-chairs of the Contact Group on an inclusive and diverse HRC membership, the Maldives and the United Kingdom, with the support of the Coordinator of the LDCs/SIDS Trust Fund and Universal Rights Group, are organising an informal meeting between the delegates of...

  • March 22, 2024 - 14:00 - 15:00
  • Palais des Nations / Geneva
  • By invitation only

Championing recognition, participation and protection of environmental defenders through high-level collaboration and coordination: The Leaders Network for Environmental Activists and Defenders Initiative

LEAD: Championing recognition, participation and protection of environmental defenders through high-level collaboration and coordination Environmental defenders are the driving force in advocating for urgent actions needed to address the triple planetary crisis, consistently leading reforms necessary to protect people (especially...

  • March 11, 2024 - 8:30 - 9:45
  • By invitation only
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The Inside Track: HRC55

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The Istanbul Process is a mechanism for follow-up on the implementation of the Human Rights Council plan to combat religious intolerance.

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Impact OSS is a data management tool that helps States manage recommendations received from UN human rights mechanisms.

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ALLIED is a network of civil society actors (83 organisations and 180 individuals) working to protect, celebrate, recognise and support ILEDs throughout the world.

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