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

Over the years civil society ac­tors have put forward objective criteria for action and built momentum around key country and thematic initiatives, ensuring that the voices of victims, excluded groups and affected com­mu­nities are considered in the Council’s decisions, despite – or rather because of – the absence of globally accepted benchmarks to guide Council action.  

At the same time, the world’s peak human rights body has delivered outcomes that have been used widely by civil society. While the Council offers the broadest spa­ce to civil society, increasing restrictions de facto limit civil society participation and engagement.  

• In-person only requirements: Most informal consultations on resolutions continue to be held exclusively in person, with hybrid modalities made available to states and civil society on a cost-recovery basis only. These arragements hinder the ability of non-Geneva-based civil society to influence policy outcomes.  
• Severe cuts to CSO statements: As a provisional measure, at this session civil CSOs were limited to a maximum of three written statements as an exceptional and provisional measure. The limitation to three statements per organisation should remain strictly provisional and exceptional. Written statements are one of the most important tools available to civil society, as speaking slots are made available on a highly competitive basis. 
• Impediments to engagement on resolutions and dialogues: De facto restrictions and digital restrictions severely limit the ability of civil society to engage in a timely and meaningful manner during the negotiation of resolutions and interactive dialogues, such as the delayed publication of official reports, denial of civil society access to zero-draft resolutions through the dedicated online portal, and late comments provided by states before the adoption of resolutions without communication to civil society.   
• Lack of systematic civil society consultation: Meaningful civil society consultation remains limited to specific mandates and issue areas, while UN-wide coordination on human rights and reform processes require embedding transparent and consistent civil society consultation as a structural pillar, including in the Human Rights Group established under the UN80 initiative and led by the UN High Commissioner.   
• Serious risks of reprisals: Reprisals against those who speak up pose a serious threat to civil society. Frequent acts of intimidation, reprisal and retaliation by State and non-State actors within and outside the UN system against civic actors hinder meaningful involvement by human rights groups, creating a climate of self-censorship.     
• Silencing independent mandate holders: Special Rapporteurs have been particularly affected by the UN human rights funding crisis, with severe cuts in their reporting to the UN bodies and country visits, indirectly affecting the work of civil society actors who have relentlessly cooperated with independent mandate holders and working groups, while attempted violations of the independence of mandate holders from within and outside the UN system have been reported.
• Investigative mechanisms under attack: The liquidity crisis coupled with a hiring freeze has prevented new positions in Commissions of Inquiry and Fact-Finding Missions from being filled. The most affected mechanisms are the Commission of Inquiry on the DRC and the recently mandated Independent Investigative Mechanism for Afghanistan, whilst other mechanisms continue their work with reduced delivery. In some countries, investigative mechanisms are the only credible avenues civil society actors and victims have to seek redress.
• Unprecedented constraints for the Office of the UN High Commissioner: Budgetary constraints have severely limited the capacity of the OHCHR, preventing the office from implementing a number of activities and reducing by 50 per cent its monitoring work, with severe consequences on the OHCHR's ability to engage with civil society on the ground. However, a recent General Assembly resolution may alleviate pressure on the UN's human rights budget. 

CIVICUS contributed to the outcomes of the Council session elevating civil society perspectives through engagement on crucial resolutions, closed-door discussions with mandate holders, country and thematic statements, engagement on UPR adoptions, and support to civil society-led panels. We sounded alarm on the global erosion of civic space and the growing repression of civil society across regions, highlighted urgent situations requiring immediate Council attention, and recommended follow-up action. Read more below for our interventions at the 62nd session of the Council.

Member states adopted several important resolutions, addressing both thematic issues and country-specific concerns. Below, we reflect on key resolutions that underscore our continued advocacy and efforts in pressing for meaningful human rights progress. 

1.1 Regional developments   

 Africa   

• Sudan:  The Council sought urgent inquiry and decisive action to prevent atrocity crimes in El Obeid and surrounding regions following drone strikes which killed at least 45 civilians in the month of June alone. Following reports of arbitrary detention, torture, enforced disappearances, and a spike in civilian deaths by the International Fact-Finding Mission, we welcome the resolution requesting the investigative body to conduct an urgent inquiry into the human rights situation in and around El Obeid amid the ongoing conflict, and calling for an immediate nationwide ceasefire and a negotiated resolution to the conflict on the basis of inclusive, Sudan-owned and Sudan-led dialogue. While the resolution explicitly condemns external actors backing the warring parties, including through the supply of weapons, more has to be done to put an end to the protection crisis, increase humanitarian assistance, and expand and enforce the arms embargo.  

• Eritrea:  We welcome the resolution extending the mandate of Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Eritrea for a further period of one year. However, the operationalisation will only be effective if the mandate is provided with resources necessary to fulfil the mandate. The repeated appeals for cooperation with Eritrea and countries in the region remain unanswered, making Eritrea one of the very few member states that have never received a single visit by a special procedure. Amid widespread impunity, there remain reasonable grounds to believe that crimes against humanity continue in Eritrea, while the 2016 findings of the Commission of Inquiry remain unaddressed.  

Asia-Pacific  

• Myanmar:   We welcome the resolution on Myanmar requesting the High Commissioner to monitor and follow up on the implementation of the recommendations made by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Myanmar, including those on accountability and justice, and to continue to track progress in the situation of human rights in Myanmar, including of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities, with the support of experts and in complementarity with the work of the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar and the Special Rapporteur. However, the resolution does not call for an arms embargo on Myanmar and does not fully address the dire human rights and humanitarian situation of Rohingya in Myanmar and abroad. 

 Other concerning situations 

• Occupied Palestinian territories (OPTs): Despite reporting by the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the OPTs, no resolution was adopted at this session at a time when civilians continue to endure relentless attacks, destruction of civilian infrastructure and severe restrictions on humanitarian assistance amid a conflict that has killed more journalists and aid workers than any other conflict in recent history. As affirmed in the UN reports themselves, reports of torture and ill‑treatment of Palestinian detainees persist, including rape and sexual abuse and arbitrary detention of 95 Palestinian women. A resolution on the OPTs should focus on long-term accountability, including implementation of reparation measures and guarantees of non-recurrence for the Palestinian people, unimpeded access for UN monitors, and establish a dedicated protection mechanism for human rights defenders and journalists operating in the OPTs.  

1.2 Thematic developments  

Important thematic resolutions including renewals of crucial mandates were adopted at this session.  

• Freedom of opinion and expression : We welcome the resolution highlighting the impacts of transnational repression and mandating a comprehensive study on transnational threats to the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The mandate, who was the first one to speak publicly about the phenomenon of transnational repression, continues to be innovative in enhancing the understanding of current challenges, including strategic lawsuits against public participation, artificial intelligence and surveillance. It also plays an essential role in the development of progressive international human rights standards.   

• Towards a fifth cycle: the UPR and its Voluntary Funds: We welcome the resolution reiterating the need to strengthen and operationalize the two voluntary funds, the Voluntary Fund for Participation in the UPR and the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in the Implementation of the UPR, encouraging participation of least developing countries and small island developing States in the review process.  

• 20 years of the Council: We welcome the resolution led by Mexico to mark the Council’s 20th anniversary, and its significant contributions to developing international law, promoting accountability for grave human rights violations, fostering cooperation and dialogue inclusive of civil society and victims, and providing support to all states to implement human rights on the ground. Nevertheless, we believe that stronger stance should be adopted on the meaningful, safe and unhindered participation of civil society and enabling environment for civil society actors to operate free from intimidation and reprisals. The resolution also fails to address in a comprehensive manner the Council's prevention mandate and states' obligations, including the obligation to pay assessed contributions to the UN’s regular budget, as well as the issue of ongoing cooperation by states with the Council and the UPR.  

• Human rights and climate change: We welcome the adoption of the resolution advancing the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment by referencing the International Court of Justice’s Advisory Opinion and threats to present and future generations. This is as a first step towards the UN's recognition of the impacts of climate change on future generations. 

• Gender and humanitarian assistance: We welcome the adoption of gender resolutions. The resolution on women and girls in humanitarian settings explicitly mentions reproductive violence for the first time. The resolution on discrimination against women and girls focuses on care and support systems, referencing the structural causes of discrimination against women and girls, whilst the resolution on child, early and forced marriage tackles this fundamental human rights violation deeply rooted in gender inequality and advances the implementation of 2026 Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) guidelines. The resolution on human rights implications of the obstruction and denial of humanitarian access is particularly relevant at a time of the rising threats to the safety of humanitarian personnel in situations of armed conflict and foreign occupation. We welcome the request to the OHCHR to prepare a comprehensive report on the human rights impact of attacks against humanitarian personnel. 

• Mandate renewals: We also welcome the adoption of the resolution renewing the mandate of the Independent Expert of International Solidarity, who was mandated to continue consultations on the Draft UN Declaration on International Solidarity. The mandates of the Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial and summary executions and the Special Rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers were also renewed for a further period of three years. We regret that the UN Declaration on International Solidarity, whose adoption was initially set to be considered at this Council session, has not been brought forward for adoption.  

• Non-adopted resolutions: We regret that the biennial resolution on peaceful protests was not adopted at this session, and urge the core group to bring the resolution to the attention of the Council in 2027. At a time when violations of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly are escalating globally and toolkits to coordinate and effectively execute peaceful protests take shape, a resolution highlighting new trends and further detailing States' positive and negative obligations towards peaceful protestors should be adopted by Council members. 

• An opaque complaint procedure: We are concerned that the Council discontinued the complaint procedure against Tajikistan, without any public scrutiny or disclosure of outcome document, and with states being prevented from sharing information arising from the procedure in plenary Council meetings.

2.1 Thematic Statements

International solidarity as a framework to guide UN and OHCHR action  
CIVICUS commended the High Commissioner's report and OHCHR's efforts to promote meaningful, inclusive and safe civil society participation and protection against reprisals. While expressing concern that shrinking civic space is undermining the actors who expose grave violations, CIVICUS noted that only 7 per cent of the world's population lives in countries where fundamental freedoms are broadly respected. Amid escalating crises and the breakdown of international legal protection, civil society is essential to restoring the rules-based order and a more inclusive multilateralism guided by international solidarity. CIVICUS urged the OHCHR to enable better participation and advance civic space globally, including through a coordinated rollout of the UN Guidance Note on Civic Space, and called for the consistent application of international law without selectivity or double standards. Read the full statement here. 

No safe ground: women, sport and civic freedoms 
CIVICUS welcomed the panel discussion mandated by Council resolution 59/17 and stressed that women and girls hold the full right to participate in all areas of public life, including sport. Iranian athletes face execution for exercising their rights to free expression and peaceful assembly, with at least six female athletes executed by Iran since the start of the year amid a wave of summary executions estimated at one to two per day. CIVICUS pointed to its Global Solidarity Cup campaign, run alongside the FIFA World Cup, which highlights that across many of the 48 competing States conditions are deadliest for human rights defenders and journalists and women are imprisoned for demanding their rights. CIVICUS urged the OHCHR and relevant mandates to issue a public statement and called on all UN Member States to respect human rights in and through sport. Read the full statement here. 

2.2 Country Statements

2.2.1 Country-specific debates

Eritrea: No Freedom, No Voice - Demanding accountability 
CIVICUS stressed that civic space in Eritrea remains entirely closed, with expression, association and peaceful assembly suppressed and civic rights granted only on government approval. Authorities have escalated arbitrary arrests and incommunicado detention as a systematic tool of intimidation, including against journalists. Eritrea remains the world's worst country for press freedom and Africa's largest jailer of journalists, with 16 held for at least two decades without charge or trial. Independent CSOs cannot operate amid heavy censorship. CIVICUS urged the Council to condemn these violations and adopt a resolution extending the Special Rapporteur's mandate. Read the full statement here. 

Venezuela: Arbitrary detentions and restrictive laws continue to erode civic space 
CIVICUS and Espacio Público welcomed the report of the High Commissioner on Venezuela and warned that the repressive machinery enabling serious human rights violations remains intact. Hundreds of people remain arbitrarily detained under deeply flawed proceedings, with enforced disappearances, transfers between detention centres without notification, and closed-door trials continuing as recurring practices. Severe restrictions on freedom of expression were highlighted, including the detention of Manuel Sánchez for criticising police on TikTok, restrictive laws, and the blocking of over 60 media platforms. We called on the Council to condemn the use of anti-terrorism laws to dismantle civil society, to renew the mandate of the Fact-Finding Mission, and to redouble efforts to establish an office of the High Commissioner in the country with a full and clearly defined mandate and genuine access to victims. Read the full statement here. 

2.2.3 UPR Adoptions  

Georgia’s Civic Space Falls to “Repressed”: CIVICUS Warns of Escalating Crackdown
CIVICUS welcomed Georgia’s engagement with the UPR process while expressing deep concern over the sharp deterioration of civic space, with the CIVICUS Monitor downgrading Georgia to “repressed” in December 2025, its second-worst rating. Following the mass protests of late 2024, met with excessive force, authorities have unleashed a wave of repressive laws, including harsh penalties for protest-related conduct and sweeping restrictions on foreign funding. CIVICUS regretted the government’s refusal to accept recommendations on torture allegations, the release of political prisoners, and the repeal of restrictive legislation. CIVICUS urged Georgia to end the arbitrary arrest of peaceful protesters, halt retaliation against civil society and media, and create an enabling environment for civil society and human rights defenders. Read the full statement here.

Advancing Civic Freedoms: Rwanda’s Progress and Persistent Gaps in the UPR
CIVICUS welcomed Rwanda's engagement with the UPR process while noting that implementation of past commitments on civic space has fallen short. CIVICUS flagged that the revised Media Law No. 02/2013 remains restrictive, requiring journalists to obtain accreditation from state institutions rather than independent bodies. Human rights defenders continue to be targeted despite third-cycle commitments, and major broadcast and online media remain state-run or pro-government, leaving self-censorship widespread. CIVICUS urged the government of Rwanda to implement all UPR recommendations on civic space and to establish, in law and practice, a supportive environment where civil society can operate without undue state interference. Read the full statement here. 

• Eritrea: Extend the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, move the accountability agenda forward
• Sudan: Civil society calls for urgent Council action to prevent atrocities

Support to civil society and society-led events:

20 years of the Council: CIVICUS co-sponsored a side‑event ‘The HRC at 20: A Lifeline for Defenders.’ In this stock-taking event, held in the context of the Council's 20th anniversary, civil society actors ref­lected on the Council’s value for civil society and its impact on the work of human rights defenders at the national level. Panellists shared their experience of engaging with the Council and its mechanisms and highlighted how the Council fits in civil society’s advocacy strategies, what the Council and its mechanisms deliver for civil society, and how human rights advocates use Council outcomes in their national level work. The event also discussed key achievements of the Council from a defenders' perspective, as well as successes and key mo­ments that marked Council’s action and the Council’s most significant failures including implications of these failures on the ground.  

Human Rights in Bahrain: CIVICUS supported the side-event ‘Protecting those who Protect Rights’ focusing on the human rights situation in Bahrain. The side event examined recent setbacks in Bahrain’s human rights situation, particularly the sharp decline in freedom of expression and civic space. Speakers highlighted reprisals against human rights defenders, especially women, who faced harassment, travel bans, surveillance, and intimidation. The discussion outlined the severe deterioration of civic space, noting the dismantling of independent political opposition, closure of media outlets, imprisonment and judicial harassment of activists, and the use of citizenship revocation against critics.