Recent cycles of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) have increasingly prioritised the implementation of UPR recommendations. However, Human Rights Council (HRC) Item 6 adoptions remain largely procedural, with States under review (SuRs), UN entities, and CSOs mostly focusing on whether recommendations are supported or not. The 20th anniversary of the HRC in 2026 presents an opportunity to use the 60-minute …
A response to Alice Edwards’ proposal Alice Edwards’ reflection and proposal come at a key moment, as the international human rights movement is struggling to come to terms with an unprecedented funding crisis, which is shaking its very foundations. And for all the damage that’s been caused to date, including the significant cuts to the 2026 UN regular budget, we still know that …
Alice Edwards, United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture, offers her insights on evolving conversations around rationalising the Special Procedures system. For decades, the United Nations’ system of independent human rights experts – known as the ‘Special Procedures’ – has been one of its greatest innovations for identifying abuses, developing legal standards, and giving victims a voice when domestic systems fail. …
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States seemed less interested in upholding human rights worldwide – in 2018 President Donald Trump’s decided to withdraw from the UN Human Rights Council. Chinese diplomacy used the opportunity to promote its competitive vision of the concept of human rights to the fullest. Under President Joe Biden, the U.S. returned as the sitting member …
Since the opening of DefendDefenders ‘ Geneva office, in 2018, we have engaged in advocacy with the UN human rights system and brought dozens of human rights defenders (HRDs) to the Palais des Nations. We have also made a deliberate effort to produce reports on multilateral dynamics. Many of our mandate countries – including Burundi, Eritrea, South Sudan, and Sudan – …
Earlier this week we witnessed the latest development in the continuing and terrible disaster that is Gaza. The Palestinian death-toll is now estimated to be more than 35,000 people, many of whom are women and children. The physical infrastructure of Gaza lies in ruins and, even when this conflict ends, will take decades to rebuild. Following the earlier and ongoing …
My priorities as the 18th President of the Human Rights Council I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been elected by members of the Human Rights Council as the Council’s 18th President. Ever since its establishment in 2006, Morocco has been a staunch and active supporter of the Council. I am likewise a firm believer in the Council’s crucial …
On 12 October 2023, the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) made history at the Human Rights Council. Not only did they present for adoption their first joint initiative at the Council since its establishment, but they also presented the first item 10 resolution (A/HRC/RES/54/33) that seeks the establishment of a regional office of the Office of …
The United Nations’ top human rights body is facing a test. Its outcome will have major implications for its credibility. This October, the Human Rights Council (HRC) might readmit Russia, which it suspended just more than a year ago, as a member. At the opening of the next UN General Assembly session, all 193 UN member states, including 54 African states, …
The 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights will be celebrated on 10 December, 2023. It is timely to look back at human rights project at the start of the UN and to reflect on where it should go next. In 2005 the World Council of Churches (WCC) published a remarkable book by John Nurser, For All Peoples …
