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High-level Panel points towards new emphasis on domestic implementation and compliance

by Mary Grace Carey, Universal Rights Group March 13, 2018 Human rights implementation and impact

On Wednesday 28th February, the Human Rights Council marked the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the 25th anniversary of the Vienna Declaration and Plan of Action with a High Level Panel, as requested by Russian-led resolution 35/1. The discussion focused on the implementation of the provisions of these key human rights documents, including the benefits of enhanced international cooperation to that end. In a sign of renewed interest national-level compliance with …

La Corte Interamericana aclara las obligaciones de los Estados en contextos de protección ambiental

by Liliana Ávila March 8, 2018 By invitation

La opinión consultiva también aclara las obligaciones extraterritoriales El pasado 7 de febrero del 2018, la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos dio a conocer su respuesta a una opinión consultiva solicitada por Colombia en relación con las obligaciones internacionales de los Estados frente a posibles impactos de actividades que pueden afectar el medio ambiente. Las opiniones consultivas son conceptos jurídicos en los …

Inter-American Court clarifies human rights obligations of States in the context of environmental protection

by Liliana Ávila March 8, 2018 By invitation

Advisory opinion also clarifies extraterritorial obligations On February 7, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights shared its response to an advisory opinion solicited by Colombia on the international obligations of States regarding activities that could negatively impact the environment. Advisory opinions are legal concepts in which the Court, as the highest human rights court in the Americas, seeks to unravel the meaning …

What are the human rights priorities of world governments in 2018?

by the URG team March 5, 2018 Corruption and human rights, Human rights implementation and impact, Human rights institutions and mechanisms, Prevention, Prevention, accountability and justice, Special Procedures, Thematic human rights issues, Treaty Bodies, Universal Periodic Review

An independent analysis of the High Level Segment of the Human Rights Council At the opening of the 37th session of the Human Rights Council, nearly one hundred world leaders (e.g. presidents, prime ministers, ministers) delivered high level speeches commenting on the state of global human rights in 2018, and presenting their country’s priorities for the year ahead. The Universal Rights …

The role of UN field staff in supporting national tracking systems for following up to human rights recommendations

by Emilie Filmer-Wilson, Human Rights Adviser, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) March 2, 2018 By invitation, Human rights implementation and impact

The number of human rights recommendations made to Member States has increased rapidly over the past few years. To track progress with meeting these recommendations in a more systematic manner, a number of Member States have created specific tracking mechanisms and tools. In these efforts, they are increasingly turning to UN Country Teams for support. To enable UN field staff …

A new approach to advancing dialogue on human rights

by Yoni Ish-Hurwitz, Executive Director of the Human Rights Likeminded Office March 2, 2018 By invitation, Human rights institutions and mechanisms

Polarisation and politicisation at the United Nations – words on the mind of every diplomat and international activist working on human rights. More often than not in debates and decisions at the Human Right Council, group dynamics come into play, often masking differences or commonalities in national positions. For example, a country that normally supports sexuality education may reverse its …

Es tiempo de actuar: el reconocimiento del derecho a un medio ambiente saludable

by Marcos A. Orellana, Director of the Environment and Human Rights Program at Human Rights Watch February 26, 2018 By invitation

Desde hace mucho tiempo se debería haber reconocido globalmente el derecho a un medio ambiente saludable. Ahora están surgiendo oportunidades para hacerlo, lo que brindaría un apoyo crucial a los activistas medioambientales amenazados. En marzo de 2016, intrusos armados tiraron abajo la puerta de la casa donde se estaba quedando la activista medioambiental hondureña Berta Cáceres, de 44 años, y la mataron. Para entonces, Cáceres, cofundadora …

Time to act – recognising the right to a healthy environment

by Marcos A. Orellana, Director of the Environment and Human Rights Program at Human Rights Watch and Geneva February 26, 2018 By invitation, R2E

Global recognition of the right to a healthy environment is long overdue. There are opportunities emerging to do so, and this would give crucial support to threatened environmental activists. In March 2016, armed intruders battered down the door of the house where Honduran environmental activist Berta Cáceres, 44, was staying and killed her. By then, Cáceres, co-founder of the Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras, …

Una nueva página web: ¿Mejorando la eficiencia del Consejo de Derechos Humanos?

by Mariana Montoya February 22, 2018 Human rights institutions and mechanisms

Esta semana, la Secretaría del Consejo de Derechos Humanos lanzó un sitio web nuevo y mejorado que, en palabras de ellos, ofrece una “nueva apariencia y navegación mejorada”. Pero la verdad es que es mucho más eso. Las nuevas características ofrecidas por el este novedoso portal del Consejo representan un esfuerzo para acercar este órgano a sus partes interesadas y …

A new website: enhancing the efficiency of the Human Rights Council?

by Mariana Montoya February 22, 2018 Human rights institutions and mechanisms

This week, the Human Rights Council’s Secretariat launched a new and improved website, which offers a ‘ new look & feel and improved navigation ’. But the truth is there is much more than meets the eye. The new features offered by the Council’s new portal represent an effort towards bringing the Council closer to its stakeholders and people on the ground; therefore, it contributes to enhancing …