Geneva

Arbitrary Detention Remains a Global Threat to Civic Freedoms

Geneva
Statement at UN Human Rights Council's 60th session Interactive Dialogue with the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you, Mr President.

DRC: Alarming Human Rights Violations Escalate Amid Renewed Clashes

Geneva
Statement at UN Human Rights Council's 60th session Item 2 – General Debate Statement on the Democratic Republic of Congo Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev Mr President, CIVICUS remains deeply concerned about the human rights situation in DRC.

Afghanistan’s Civic Space Has Collapsed, CIVICUS Calls for Urgent Action at the UN

Geneva
  Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan with the Special Rapporteur Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Mr.

HRC60: INGOs Urge States to Support Renewal of UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights in Russia

Geneva
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council Excellency, We, the undersigned organisations, urge your delegation to support the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation during the 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC).

Kuwait: Deliver on UPR 4th Cycle promises: end repression, support civil society

Geneva
Ahead of the 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council (Sep/Oct 2025), CIVICUS and SALAM for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM DHR), together with our partners, submit this joint statement urging Kuwait to uphold civic space, protect human rights defenders, and make good on its commitments under the Universal Periodic Review.

Burundi: As risk factors multiply, it is imperative to extend the Special Rapporteur’s mandate

Geneva
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session, CIVICUS and over 30 partners are calling on States to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Burundi.

Sudan: Extend the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission for two more years

Geneva
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 60th session (Sep–Oct 2025), CIVICUS and over 30 civil society organisations have written to Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council urging them to extend the mandate of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) on Sudan for two more years.

Civil Society Letter on the UN80 Process: Proposals for Strengthening the UN Human Rights Pillar

Geneva
We have joined fellow civil society organisations in signing a joint letter to the UN Secretary-General and High Commissioner for Human Rights, urging that the UN80 process prioritise a stronger, more principled and accountable human rights pillar.

Joint Universal Periodic Review (#UPR51) Submissions on Civil Society Space

Geneva
CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Australia, Nepal and Rwanda.

HRC59: Joint NGO end of session statement

Geneva
As the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council concludes, CIVICUS joins fellow civil society organisations in reflecting on key developments, raising urgent concerns, and calling for stronger accountability and protection of human rights around the world.

HRC59: CIVICUS and Center for Civil Liberties Call for Accountability for Rights Abuses in Crimea

Geneva
Statement at 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 10: Interactive Dialogue on ID on oral presentation of the High Commissioner on Ukraine and interim report of the Secretary-General on human rights in Crimea Delivered by Oleksandra Matviichuk, Center for Civil Liberties  Mr President, CIVICUS and the Center for Civil Liberties welcome the report of the Secretary General and the update of the High Commissioner.

Angola’s UPR Commitments Welcomed — but Crackdowns on Protest Persist

Geneva
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 6: Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Angola Joint oral statement on behalf of CIVICUS and Amnesty International Mr.

Fiji’s UPR Report Adopted: Progress Acknowledged, Legal Reforms Still Urgently Needed

Geneva
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Fiji Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS CIVICUS,  Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (PIANGO), Fiji Council Of Social Services (FCOSS) and Amnesty International welcomes Fiji’s engagement in the UPR process.

UPR Report on El Salvador Adopted Amid Sharp Decline in Civic Space

Geneva
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of El Salvador Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Mr President.
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From Crackdowns to Censorship: Spotlight on Burundi’s Shrinking Civic Space at HRC59

Geneva
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS  Mr President, CIVICUS and independent Burundian CSOs welcome the work of the Special Rapporteur.

HRC59: Free and fair elections depend on respect for Assembly and Association rights

Geneva
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Mr President, CIVICUS commends the report of the Special Rapporteur and supports its findings.

Civic Space still Under Siege in Eritrea

Geneva
Statement at the 59th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Mr President, CIVICUS appreciates the work of the Special Rapporteur and his latest report.

CIVICUS Input for Consideration by the UN Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine

Geneva
The Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) on Ukraine has made critical strides in documenting human rights violations and abuses and violations of international humanitarian law committed by the Russian Federation in Ukraine and occupied territories of Ukraine.

Eritrea: Adopt a strong resolution extending the Special Rapporteur’s mandate

Geneva
Eritrea remains one of the world’s most repressive states, where widespread human rights violations continue with impunity.
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58th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: Post-Session Assessment and Key Outcomes

Geneva
  The 58th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from February 24 to April 4, 2025, resulting in 32 Resolutions and 14 Universal Period Review adoptions.
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Joint Universal Periodic Review (#UPR50) Submissions on Civil Society Space

Geneva
CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Mongolia, Malawi and Maldives.
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Civil Society and Experts Call for UN Special Rapporteur on Democracy as Global Democratic Decline Continues

Geneva
A side event titled "Democracy and Human Rights" was convened on March 25, 2025, in the margins of the 58th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.
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DRC: Stop human rights violations, end media censorship, allow humanitarian aid

Geneva
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on the Democratic Republic of Congo Delivered by Sigrid Lipott , CIVICUS  Mr President, Escalating conflict in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) between DRC forces and M23 forces backed by Rwanda has resulted in devastating consequences, with over 8,500 casualties reported since January, including 5,000 in Goma alone.
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HRC58: States should extend human rights investigation in Ukraine

Geneva
CIVICUS, together with six other international NGOs, calls on states from all regions to support renewing the mandate of the independent international Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine at the 58th session of the UN Human Rights Council.
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Urgent Action Needed to Protect Civic Space in Pakistan and Serbia

Geneva
 Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council General Debate Item 4 Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Mr President, CIVICUS is convinced that the Council should play a more assertive role in preventing rather than reacting to human rights crises, and the rapid deterioration of civic space is among the early warning signs on which the Council should promptly act.
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Human Rights Council adopts final outcome of the 4th universal periodic review of Equatorial Guinea

Geneva
    Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Adoption of the UPR report on the Equatorial Guinea Delivered by Lucas Jorge Olo Fernandes, Lusophone Platform of Human Rights Mr President, We thank CIVICUS for assisting the Commission of Jurists, the Lusophone Platform of Human Rights, Centro de Estudios e Iniciativas para el Desarrollo, ONG – Cooperación y Desarrollo (CEIDGE) and EG Justice to address the council.
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Human Rights Council adopts the final outcome of the 4th universal periodic review of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Geneva
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Mr President, CIVICUS welcomes the government of DRC's engagement with the UPR and adoption of the Law on Protection and Responsibility of HRDs.
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Belarus: Ongoing Crackdown on civil society demands stronger international response

Geneva
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Independent Experts on Belarus Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS Thank you, Mr President.
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#HRC58: States must put civil society and human rights at the heart of counter-terrorism efforts

Geneva
 Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS Thank you, Mr President.
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UN: States must empower civil society and protect human rights defenders in transitional justice processes

Geneva
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the OHCHR’s report on transitional justice Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS Thank you, Mr President.
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Myanmar: CIVICUS calls for a robust resolution to protect human rights and advance accountability

Geneva
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 2 General Debate Delivered by May Thiri Khin, Burma Human Rights Network Thank you, Mr President, CIVICUS and the Burma Human Rights Network welcome the High Commissioner’s oral update on Myanmar.
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CIVICUS at the 58th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

Geneva
At the 58th session of UN Human Rights Council (24 February to 4 April 2025) CIVICUS will prioritise protecting civic space and civic freedoms.
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With a seat on the UN Human Rights Council, Thailand must embark on constitutional reform and secure human rights at home

Geneva
In January 2025, Thailand began its three-year term as a new member of the United Nations Human Rights Council.
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South Sudan: Adopt a strong resolution extending UN investigations for two years

Geneva
To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations (UN) Human Rights Council Excellencies, Ahead of the UN Human Rights Coun­cil’s (hereafter “HRC” or “Coun­­cil”) 58th regular session (Feb­­ruary 24 - April 4 2025), we, the undersigned non-governmental orga­niza­tions, write to urge your delegation to sup­port the development and adoption of a strong resolution on the human rights situ­a­tion in South Sudan.

The UN should prioritise preventive measures, rather than reactive ones, to address human rights crises

Geneva
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council – 57th sessionGeneral Debate Item 4Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you, Mr President.

Burundi: Cooperation with the Special Rapporteur is needed as impunity for human rights violations persists

Geneva
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council – 57th session Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi Delivered by Sigrid Lipott  Thank you Mr President.
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Independent mechanism needed to address accountability and ongoing grave abuses in Afghanistan

Geneva
Statement at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Enhanced Interactive Debate on Afghanistan Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you Mr.
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At a critical juncture for Burundi, the Special Rapporteur’s mandate remains vital

Geneva
As serious human rights violations persist in Burundi amid widespread impunity, and with the country preparing for legislative and presidential elections in a tense national and regional climate, it is crucial for the UN Human Rights Council to maintain its scrutiny.
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Joint Universal Periodic Review (#UPR48) Submissions on Civil Society Space

Geneva
CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Angola, El Salvador, Fiji and Iran.
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#HRC56: Joint NGO end-of-session statement

Geneva
States have an obligation to pay UN membership dues in full and in time.
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Malaysia: Adoption of Universal Periodic Review Report

Geneva
Statement at the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights CouncilAdoption of the Universal Periodic Report report of Malaysia Delivered by Azura NasronThank you, Mr /Madam President.
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Civil society organisations urge China to genuinely engage with the UN to enact meaningful reforms

Geneva
On 4 July, at a UN dialogue in Geneva to discuss the adoption of the official report following its UPR review last January, Chinese diplomats reiterated their intention to ignore concrete recommendations to cease some of the most blatant human rights violations in their country.
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Civil Society Urges High Commissioner Volker Türk to Halt and Reverse Restrictions on Access and Participation at UNOG

Geneva
CIVICUS joins civil society organisations (CSOs) from around the world in urging High Commissioner Volker Türk and his office to take immediate action to halt and reverse the unprecedented restrictions imposed on civil society by the United Nations Office in Geneva (UNOG).
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Chinese Government Rejects Key Human Rights Recommendations in Latest UN Review

Geneva
Intense Lobbying Campaign Produces Many Weak Recommendations   The Chinese government’s rejection of recommendations to end its deepening human rights crisis reflects its disdain for international human rights reviews at the United Nations, the undersigned human rights nongovernmental organizations said in a joint statement released on June 25, 2024.
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Eritrea: CIVICUS urges renewed mandate for Special Rapporteur amid severe civic space violations

Geneva
UN Human Rights Council – 56th session Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you Mr President.
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55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: post-session assessment and key outcomes

Geneva
The 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) began on 26 February in the context of ongoing and unfolding human rights crises and grave human rights violations and abuses.
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Democratic Republic of the Congo: urgent action needed to prevent further violations of civic freedoms

Geneva
Statement delivered at the UN Human Rights Council's 55th session Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the Democratic Republic of Congo Delivered by Sigrid Lipott While we laud the promulgation of the law on the protection and responsibility of HRDs, concerns persist on ongoing violations against HRDs, notably intimidation and arbitrary arrests of defenders.

Panel discussion on countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence

Geneva
At the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, Article 19 delivered a joint intervention on behalf of CIVICUS and a group of organisations, expressing our concerns about the increasing hatred against individuals based on their religion or belief worldwide.
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HRC55: Address crackdown on civic space in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka

Geneva
UN Human Rights Council – 55th sessionGeneral Debate Item 2Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUSThank you Mr President,CIVICUS is convinced that the Council should play a more assertive role in preventing rather than reacting to human rights crises, and the rapid deterioration of civic space is the first early warning sign on which the Council should act.
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Open Letter to the Ambassadors of Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to the UN Human Rights Council

Geneva
CIVICUS and other organistions including ForumAsia, DefendDefenders and Artcicle 19 have submitted a joint statement expressing their support for and appeal for a regular technical rollover of the upcoming resolution on "combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence against, persons based on religion or belief.

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