Geneva

Occupied Palestinian Territories: The Human Rights Impact of AI and Surveillance in Illegal Settlements

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 7: General debate on the human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories Delivered by Shahd Ghassan Mahmoud Khader, The Palestinian Working Woman Society for Development-PWWSD Mr.

Sierra Leone: UPR Commitments Must Be Followed by Concrete Action on Civic Space and Human Rights

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Adoption of the Universal Periodic Report (UPR) report of Sierra Leone Delivered by: Zélie Leïla Ménard Thank you, Mr President.

Singapore ignoring UN recommendations to protect civic freedoms

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Singapore Delivered by: Olimjon Bakhtaliev Thank you, Mr.

Enduring Repression of Civic Space in Niger Amidst Military Coup and Beyond

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Niger Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev Mr Vice President.

Paraguay: Defending Civic Space Amid Restrictive Legislation

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report of Paraguay Delivered by Olga Cabellero Bernal, Alma Cívica Thank you, Mr President President.

Reprisals, mandate cuts and UN reform: protecting the space for civil society at the UN

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 5: General Debate  Delivered by Sigrid Lipott  Mr.

Escalating Transnational Repression and Closing Civic Space in the Russian Federation

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 4: Interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation Delivered by Matthew Jones, Human Rights House Foundation Thank you, Vice-President.

Venezuela: Repression Endures, Accountability Must Continue

Statement at the 6rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive dialogue with the Fact-Finding Mission Delivered by Marysabel Rodríguez, Espacio Público Thank you, Madam Chair.

Indonesia: Address the Human Rights Impact of Displacement and Development Projects in West Papua

Statement at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 4: General Debate Delivered by: Gispa Ferdinanda Warijo Mr.

Bahrain: Renewed crackdown puts civic space on the CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 4: General debate on human rights situations that require the Council’s attention Delivered by Sayed Yusuf AlMuhafdha, SALAM DHR Mr President, Salam for Democracy and Human Rights (SALAM DHR) and CIVICUS are alarmed at the deteriorating human rights situation in Bahrain.

Venezuela: civil society organisations call for the renewal of key UN fact-finding mission

In a joint statement published today, a group of 21 civil society organizations, including Amnesty International, call for the renewal of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela (FFM) and address key questions regarding this special UN mechanism, including what the FFM is and why must it be maintained at least until 2028; how the FFM is complementary to the work of the UN Human Rights Office and international justice mechanisms; and, crucially, how the mission can contribute to the future of Venezuela.

Six years on: time to report on the UN Guidance Note on Civic Space amid standing concerns for Human Rights Council elections

Statement at the 63rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 3: General Debate  Delivered by Sigrid Lipott  Mr.

Burundi: Rights Violations Persist Despite UN Scrutiny

Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 63rd session Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Burundi Delivered by Zélie Leïla Ménard Mr President, CIVICUS appreciates the work of the Special Rapporteur and his latest report.

Afghanistan: Systematic repression and gender apartheid demands global action

  Statement at the 63rd session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 2: Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on Afghanistan with the Special Rapporteur Delivered by Wazhma Tokhi Mr.
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CIVICUS at the 63rd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

  Sixty-third (63rd) Session of the UN Human Rights Council (7 September to 9 October 2026) Overview of Priorities Structural Challenges at the Human Rights Council Thematic Priorities Country-Specific Priorities Overview of Priorities Amid intensifying civic space restrictions, civil society funding challenges and a severe UN liquidity crisis, the Human Rights Council (HRC) remains a vital space for defending human rights and amplifying the voices of those most affected.

Burundi: The Human Rights Council should further extend the Special Rapporteur’s mandate

As human rights violations continue to be committed in Burundi in a context of widespread impu­nity, and as the country is in the middle of an electoral cycle that will culminate in the 2027 pre­si­den­tial election and risks closing remaining avenues for peaceful expression of dissent, the UN Hu­man Rights Coun­cil should maintain its scrutiny of the country’s situation.

Sudan: Extend the Fact-Finding Mission’s mandate and ensure adequate resources for investigations and reporting

Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 63rd session (7 Sep­tem­ber-7 October 2026), we, the un­der­­si­gned civil society orga­ni­sa­tions, write to urge your delegation to support a mandate exten­sion for the Inde­pen­dent International Fact-Fin­ding Mission (FFM) for the Sudan, in full, for two years.

Joint Universal Periodic Review (#UPR54) Submissions on Civil Society Space

CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Timor-Leste, Togo, Uganda, and Venezuela.

Key highlights: CIVICUS at the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council

The 62nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from 15 June to 8 July, 2026, resulting in 28 Resolutions and 13 Universal Periodic Review (UPR) adoptions.

Georgia’s Civic Space Falls to “Repressed”: CIVICUS Warns of Escalating Crackdown

Oral Statement Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Georgia Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Thank you, Mr President.

Advancing Civic Freedoms: Rwanda’s Progress and Persistent Gaps in the UPR

  Oral Statement Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Rwanda Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Thank you, Mr Vice-President.

Venezuela: Arbitrary detentions and restrictive laws continue to erode civic space

 Statement at the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Delivered by Marysabel Rodriguez, Espacio Público Thank you, Mr.

Sudan: Civil society calls for urgent Council action to prevent atrocities

Ahead of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (15 June–10 July 2026), CIVICUS and other civil society organisations called on the Council to urgently address the escalating situation in and around El Obeid, North Kordofan, amid credible warnings of atrocity crimes and an imminent offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their allies.

No safe ground: women, sport and civic freedoms

    Statement at the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Panel on women and girls in sports Delivered by Zélie Leïla Ménard, CIVICUS Mr.
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No Freedom, No Voice: Demanding accountability for Eritrea

Statement at the 62nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Madam Vice-President, CIVICUS appreciates the work of the Special Rapporteur and his latest report.
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CIVICUS at the 62nd Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

  Sixty-second (62nd) Session of the UN Human Rights Council (15 June to 10 July 2026) Overview Structural Challenges at the Human Rights Council Thematic Priorities Country-Specific Priorities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overview As civic space continues to shift globally, citizens and civil society continue to be the eyes and ears of the UN Human Rights Council, a vital platform for defending human rights and raising the voices of victims and marginalised groups worldwide.

Eritrea: Extend the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, move the accountability agenda forward

Ahead of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council (15 June–10 July 2026), CIVICUS, together with other non-governmental organisations, wrote to the Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council, urging them to support the development and adoption of a strong resolution extending the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea.

CIVICUS Statement on NGO Committee Elections

Civil society’s full and independent access is vital for the UN to fulfil its mandate.

Joint Universal Periodic Review (#UPR53) Submissions on Civil Society Space

CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Thailand, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea, and collaborated on a joint submission on Tajikistan.

Key highlights: CIVICUS at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council

The 61st regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from February 23 to April 2, 2026, resulting in 38 Resolutions and 13 Universal Period Review adoptions.

Human Rights at Risk: Urgent Action Needed in Iran and the Gulf

Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Urgent Debate: "Protection of Children and Educational Institutions in International Armed Conflicts: The Aerial Attacks on Shajareh Tayyebeh Girls' School in Minab, Iran, as a Grave Breach of International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law" Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev Mr President, CIVICUS is gravely concerned about the unfolding situation in Iran and the Gulf region.

Why the UN Declaration on International Solidarity Matters Now

The year 2000 marked the creation of the mandate of the Independent Expert on human rights and international solidarity.

HRC61: Civil society must play a central role within the State-led Group of Friends of Multilateralism

Oral Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 8: General Debate  Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS Mr President, CIVICUS underscores the enduring relevance of the Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (VDPA).

Maldives: Positive UPR Commitments Must Lead to Legal Reforms

Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review report of Maldives Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Mr.

Mongolia Supports Civic Space Reforms but Key Restrictions Remain

Statement at the 61st Session UN Human Rights Council  Adoption of the UPR report of Mongolia Delivered by Urantulkhuur Mandkhaitsetsen, Center for Human Rights and Development Mr.

Malawi Backtracks on Civic Space Commitments at the Universal Periodic Review

Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report of Malawi Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Thank you, Mr Vice-President.

Independent Special Procedures under attack amid reprisals, sanctions, and de-funding

Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council   Item 5: General Debate   Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS  Mr.

Tajikistan: Repression continues unabated against CSO, journalists and lawyers

Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 4: General Debate Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS  Mr President,  We remain deeply concerned about the deteriorating human rights situation in Tajikistan.

Venezuela: Ending Impunity and Repression Requires Immediate Action

Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela  Delivered by Calixto Ignacio Ávila Rincón, PROVEA  Mr President,  CIVICUS and PROVEA welcome the update by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission (FFM).

Torture Remains Routine in Bahrain; Survivors Denied Justice and Voice

Oral Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council Item 2: ID with the Special Rapporteur on torture Delivered by Fairooz Jawad, Salam for Democracy and Human Rights Mr President, CIVICUS and Salam for Democracy and Human Rights welcome the Special Rapporteur’s report, especially the Charter of Rights of Victims and Survivors of Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

Organisations urge the Human Rights Council to defend the global human rights system

Oral statement delivered at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 2: General Debate Delivered by International Service for Human Rights (Joint statement), Raphael Viana David Mr President, This is a joint statement.

South Sudan: Repression, Impunity, and the Urgent Need for Human Rights Monitoring

Oral Statement at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 2: Interactive Dialogue on report of Commission of Human Rights in South Sudan Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev   Madam Vice-President, We remain deeply concerned about the human rights situation in South Sudan, where rising political tensions, renewed fighting and escalating communal violence continue to fuel a worsening crisis.

HRC61: Reject Sham Elections, End Atrocities, and Protect Civilians in Myanmar

Oral statement delivered at the 61st Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's Oral Update on Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev Madam Vice-President, CIVICUS remains concerned about the serious crimes committed by the junta following the coup including the arbitrary detention and conviction of thousands of activists after unfair trials, torture in detention and indiscriminate attacks and killings of civilians.

CIVICUS at the 61st Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

Sixty-first (61st) Session of the UN Human Rights Council (23 February – 2 April 2026) Overview Structural Challenges at the Human Rights Council Thematic Priorities Country-Specific Priorities ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Overview As we mark the 20th anniversary of the UN Human Rights Council this year, the UN human rights system faces sustained and coordinated attacks.

Open Letter: The UNHRC Must Reject the Junta’s Sham Election Results to Consolidate Illegitimate Rule and Advance Accountability

CIVICUS, together with 234 Myanmar, regional, and international civil society organisations, issued an open letter urging the UN Human Rights Council to reject the Myanmar military junta’s sham election results and take decisive action to advance accountability.

Civil society participation: Hybrid participation during informal consultations on resolutions throughout 2026 (HRC61, HRC62 and HRC63)

CIVICUS, together with partner civil society organisations, wrote to States to underscore the importance of maintaining hybrid participation during informal consultations on resolutions throughout 2026 (HRC61, HRC62 and HRC63).

South Sudan: Extend UN investigations, stand ready to respond to any further deterioration of the human rights situation

CIVICUS, together with Amnesty International, AfricanDefenders, DefendDefenders, Human Rights Watch, and other civil society organisations, called on the UN Human Rights Council to extend the mandate of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS) and strengthen international scrutiny of the country’s human rights situation.

Civil Society at the Centre of Peacebuilding: Reflections from the UN-CSO Dialogue 2025

CIVICUS participated in the third CSO-UN Peacebuilding Dialogue held on 10-11 December 2025.

IRAN: Calls for Accountability Amid Brutal Crackdown on Protests

Oral Statement UN Human Rights Council: 39th special session of the Human Rights Council on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Islamic Republic of Iran Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev, CIVICUS Mr.

Tanzania: Civil Society Calls on UN States to Act Amid Deadly Post-Election Repression

In a joint letter, civil society organisations urge Member and Observer States of the UN Human Rights Council to enhance their engagement with the United Republic of Tanzania and take action to prevent further abuses following the authorities’ brutal response to widespread protests after the 29 October 2025 elections.

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