The human rights communications procedures are central to the purpose, effectiveness and credibility of the United Nations – representing the only direct link between the victims of human rights violations and the international human rights protection system. However, over the past half-century, what was once a vibrant part of the UN’s human rights work has become increasingly neglected and somewhat …
Human Rights Council strengthening conference
There is a growing recognition that as the Human Rights Council (HRC) approaches its twelve year anniversary there is a need to undertake an inclusive, cross regional and structured dialogue to review how the HRC could best fulfil its mandate and purpose, as set down in GA resolution 60/251. This includes discussions around how the work and effectiveness of the …
Derechos Humanos y Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible – Alcanzando sinergias
Si la Agenda 2030 debe implementarse de una manera en la que realmente “no se deje a nadie atrás”, entonces los compromisos y obligaciones de derechos humanos deben ser aplicados, implementados y protegidos por todos los Estados miembros de la ONU. Del mismo modo, el pleno disfrute de todos los derechos humanos solo será posible en el contexto del progreso …
Human Rights and the Sustainable Development Goals – Pursuing Synergies
If the 2030 Agenda is to be realised in a way that truly does ‘leave no one behind,’ then human rights obligations and commitments must be applied, implemented and protected by all UN member States. Similarly, the full enjoyment of all human rights will only be possible in the context of worldwide progress with the implementation of the Sustainable Development …
The Human Rights Council in 2017
The ‘Human Rights Council in 2017’ report provides a critique of the main events, developments, successes and failures of the Human Rights Council in 2017. The review includes: – A quantitative analysis of the Council’s work in 2017, as well as since the body’s establishment in 2006. This includes the number of resolutions adopted; the number of voted resolutions; the number …
Defensores de Derechos Humanos Ambientales: Una crisis global
“A menos que la comunidad internacional refuerce su apoyo y mejore su protección a los defensores de los derechos humanos ambientales (DDHA), será imposible el pleno disfrute de los derechos humanos y la realización de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible de 2030” Aunque muchos aspectos de la relación entre los derechos humanos y el medio ambiente son importantes, ninguno es …
Operationalizing the Council’s ‘prevention’ mandate (Glion IV)
The Human Rights Council’s mandate to respond to human rights violations, including gross and systematic violations – as set down in operative paragraph 3 of GA resolution 60/251 – is well known. Less well known, but equally important, is the Council’s mandate to prevent such violations from happening in the first place and to respond promptly to emerging crises. According …
The march of universality? Religion-based reservations to the core UN human rights treaties
URG’s new Policy Report on ‘The march of universality?’ by Başak Çalı and Mariana Montoya presents the findings of a two-year project to map and analyse the implications of all reservations to the core human rights conventions, and to better understand the extent and nature of these key checks on the universality of human rights. As part of the project, …
Environmental human rights defenders (EHRDs): risking their today for our tomorrow
URG today launches a new Policy Brief on the situation of ‘environmental human rights defenders’ (EHRDs), individuals working, often at great personal risk, at the interface of human rights and environmental protection. The report, authored by John Knox, UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and the environment, and member of the Board of Trustees of the URG, is a first comprehensive assessment of the challenges and risks facing EHRDs, and how the international community can better support their work and protect their rights.
6th meeting of the Istanbul Process
On 20-21 July 2016, the Government of Singapore hosted the sixth meeting of the Istanbul Process, organised in collaboration with the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS). The meeting was entitled: ‘A cross-regional perspective on best practices and policies for promoting religious tolerance and strengthening resilience.’ This was the first Istanbul Process meeting to be held in Southeast Asia, …
