Geneva

France at UN Human Rights Council: Adoption of Universal Periodic Review Report

In our Universal Periodic Review submission, we documented that since its last review, France only partially implemented one of the two recommendations it received relating to civic space.

UN Human Rights Council: Civic space in Eritrea

38th Session of UN Human Rights Council Dialogue with UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea On behalf of CIVICUS, Reporters without Borders, the Eritrean Movement for Democracy and Human Rights, the Eritrean Law society, Eritrea Focus, Network of Eritrean Women, Amnesty International, and the Horn of Africa Civil Society Forum, I would first like to express our deepfelt gratitude and appreciation to the Special Rapporteur for her unwavering support to Eritrean victims of human rights violations.

UN Human Rights Council: Civic Space in Egypt, Tanzania and Vietnam

38th Session of the Human Rights Council   General Debate – civic space in Egypt, Tanzania and Vietnam CIVICUS is concerned about the situation in Egypt where authorities have arrested, interrogated and detained several activists, bloggers and journalists over the last few weeks, indicating a significant escalation in the crackdown on the rights to freedom of expression, association and assembly in the country.

Response to UN High Commissioner for Human Rights update

38th Session of the Human Rights Council   Update of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights  CIVICUS welcomes the High Commissioner’s final update and thanks him for his continued support for human rights defenders and for speaking the truth to power in this August room for the last four years.
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UN Human Rights Council: New Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association

38th Session of the Human Rights Council   Interactive Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and the  Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity CIVICUS welcomes this occasion to dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association and the Independent Expert on sexual orientation and gender identity.
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CIVICUS at the 38th Session of the Human Rights Council

The 38th session of the UN Human Rights Council, from 18 June to 6 July 2018, will consider core civic space issues of freedom of association, assembly and expression.
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Gaza: We condemn the killing of Palestinian protesters

Special session of the UN Human Rights Council on the deteriorating human rights situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem Oral Statement CIVICUS, the Palestinian NGO Network and the Arab NGO Network for Development condemn the atrocities committed by the Israeli Occupation Forces against peaceful Palestinian protesters in Gaza.

High Level Intersessional celebrating the centenary of Nelson Mandela

CIVICUS welcomes this celebratory discussion of a true icon of our times.

Djibouti: Reprisals against human rights defender Kadar Abdi Ibrahim for his advocacy at the UN Human Rights Council

Johannesburg, 17 April 2018 - DefendDefenders, CIVICUS and the Observatory condemn acts of reprisals against human rights defender Mr.
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CIVICUS UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space

CIVICUS and its partners have submitted joint and stand-alone UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on eight countries to the UN Human Rights Council in advance of the 31st UPR session (November 2018).
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Enhance the process to select new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

In a letter to the UN Secretary-General, a coalition of more than 70 civil society organisations has put forward proposals to revitalise and enhance the process to select the new UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

New UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of assembly and association

The Civic Space Initiative welcomes Mr.
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The deterioration of civic space in Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras

37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Statement during the High Commissioner's country briefings CIVICUS is extremely concerned about the spate of attacks against HRDs journalists and peaceful protestors that has taken place across Colombia, Guatemala and Honduras.
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Joint statement on critical topics from 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

Our organisations welcome the adoption of the resolution on the promotion and protection of human rights and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, particularly in reaffirming that all approaches to development must comply with the State’s international human rights obligations.

Letter to UN Member States: Civic space restrictions in Cambodia

To Missions of UN Member States (delivered by email on 22 March) We are writing to you with regards to the human rights situation in Cambodia.

Statement at UN Human Rights Council: Citizen rights in South Korea

37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Statement on the adoption of South Korea´s Universal Periodic Review CIVICUS applauds the government of the Republic of Korea for its continued support and engagement in the Universal Periodic Revew (UPR) on human rights process.

Statement at UN Human Rights Council: Zambia not implementing recommendations on civic space

37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Joint Statement on the adoption of Zambia's Universal Periodic Review The Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) and CIVICUS welcome the government of Zambia's engagement with the Universal Periodic Review on human rights process.

Statement at the UN Human Rights Council: Attacks on civic space in Burundi

Interactive Dialogue with the UN Commission of Inquiry on on Burundi Oral Statement We remain extremely concerned by the grave human rights violations taking place in Burundi, which show no sign of abating.

Statement at UN Human Rights Council: Citizen rights in Eritrea

37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea Oral Intervention by CIVICUS and DefendDefenders The government of Eritrea was requested to strengthen its cooperation with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), to communicate pertinent information regarding detained journalists and opposition members, and to consider establishing an office in Eritrea.

CIVICUS at the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council

The opening week of the 37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council will commence with the high level segment which will include approximately 99 high level speakers including top political leaders from UN member states as well as UN Secretary General, Mr Antonio Guterres, and the President of the General Assembly amongst others.
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Statement to the UN High Commissioner on Human Rights: Countries on the civic space watchlist

37th Session of the Human Rights Council Oral statement at Interactive Dialogue with UN High Commissioner on Human Rights CIVICUS commends the High Commissioner for his report, and for his commitment to standing alongside victims of the world's most egregious human rights violations by continuously bringing attention of their plight to this Council.
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Statement at the UN Human Rights Council: Global trends on civic space

37th Session of the Human Rights Council Oral statement Across the globe, CIVICUS has observed a pattern of judicial persecution, smear campaigns, threats, intimidation, physical assaults and killings targeting human rights defenders.

Statement at Human Rights Council: Threats to civic space

37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Oral Statement Restrictions of civic space and threats to human rights defenders is fast spreading in the Global North as well as the South.

CIVICUS at UN Human Rights Council: Human rights challenges in the context of countering terrorism

37th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Oral Statement – Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism 1 March 2018 CIVICUS, on behalf of the Civic Space Initiative, welcomes the Special Rapporteur’s report on the human rights challenge of states of emergency in the context of countering terrorism.
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Joint Letter to UN: Strengthen and renew the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan

To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council, Geneva RE: Renewing and strengthening the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan to ensure accountability for gross violations of human rights and related crimes in South Sudan Excellencies, We, the undersigned national, regional and international non-governmental organisations, write to call on your delegation to renew and strengthen the mandate of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (the Commission), during the 37th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in March.
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CIVICUS UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space

CIVICUS and its partners have submitted joint and stand-alone UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on 9 countries in advance of the 28th UPR session (November 2017).

Country recommendations on civic space for the UN´s Universal Periodic Review

CIVICUS and its partners have submitted joint and stand-alone UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on 9 countries in advance of the 30th UPR session (May 2018).

Joint Letter: Closing of the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council

Joint letter to President of the UN Human Rights Council on behalf of International Service for Human Rights, Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies (CIHRS), Asian Forum on Human Rights and Development (Forum Asia), Human Rights House Foundation, CIVICUS We welcome the adoption of the resolution intended to end acts of intimidation or reprisals.

Joint Letter: UN mandate on enforced or involuntary disappearances

Human Rights Organizations Urge UN Human Rights Council Member States to Reject Amendments to the Draft Resolution Renewing the Mandate of The UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances In the context of the renewal of the mandate of the Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (WGEID), during the 36th regular session of the Human Rights Council, through draft resolution A/HRC/36/L.

Joint Letter: Improving cooperation with the United Nations

UN Human Rights Council: 36th Session  Letter to Member States of the UN Human Rights Council Re: Support resolution on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights The undersigned 48 civil society organisations, coming from all regions, urge your delegation to support the adoption of the resolution on cooperation with the United Nations, its representatives and mechanisms in the field of human rights as tabled.

Joint statement on human rights in the Philippines

36th Session of the UN Human Rights Council ISHR and CIVICUS welcome the Philippine Government’s engagement in the UPR process.

Statement on human rights recommendations for Poland

36th Session of the UN Human Rights Council CIVICUS welcomes Poland’s commitment to engage with the UPR process and its acceptance of recommendations related to the freedoms of expression, peaceful assembly and association, in its recent response to the Report of the Working Group.

Joint statement on human rights violations in Vietnam

UN Human Rights Council: 36th Session  Interactive dialogue on human rights in Vietnam CIVICUS presents this statement together with VOICE We are gravely concerned by the crackdown on human rights defenders and pro-democracy activists in Vietnam.

Joint statement on the rights of indigenous peoples

UN Human Rights Council: 36th Session  Panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples Disponible en Espanol I read this statement on behalf of 39 human rights defenders and civil society organisations working on indigenous, land and environmental rights from 29 countries who met in Johannesburg, South Africa from 7-9 August 2017 to discuss strategies to advance the protection of indigenous, land and environmental rights activists.

Joint statement on human rights violations in Burundi

UN Human Rights Council: 36th Session Oral Intervention at Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi Thank you, Mr.

Joint statement on human rights crisis in South Sudan

Human Rights Council: 36th Session Oral Intervention at Interactive Dialogue with the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan The East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project and CIVICUS, on behalf of 20 African civil society organisations, thank the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan for their worrying update.

Open Letter to UN member states: Urgent action needed on Myanmar

To: Member and Observer states of the UN Human Rights Council Subject: Urgent action needed on Myanmar Dear Excellencies We write to you regarding the deeply concerning situation in Myanmar, particularly in Rakhine State.

UN Human Rights Council: Response to High Commissioner´s update

CIVICUS deeply appreciates High Commissioner’s update, regretfully on an ever darker and more dangerous world.

Civil society calls on UN Human Rights Council to resolve human rights crisis in Cambodia

Civil society calls on the UN Human Rights Council to address Cambodia’s human rights crisis The undersigned civil society organizations, representing groups working within and outside Cambodia to advance human rights, rule of law, and democracy, are writing to alert your government to an unfolding human rights crisis in Cambodia.
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UN Human Rights Council: Statement on widespread arbitrary detention

UN Human Rights Council 36th session 12 September 2017 Statement at the UN Human Rights Council during interactive diialogue with the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention CIVICUS welcomes the annual and mission reports of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention.

Joint Letter: Human rights violations in Bahrain

We, the undersigned Bahraini, regional and international human rights organizations, remain alarmed at the ongoing human rights crisis in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
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CIVICUS Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Submissions on Civil Society Space

CIVICUS and its partners have submitted joint and stand-alone UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on 5 countries in advance of the 29th UPR session in January 2018.

Statement on freedom of assembly and association, and the right to education

35th session of the  Human Rights Council   Dialogue with Special Rapporteur on freedom of assembly and of association and the Special Rapporteur on the right to education CIVICUS welcomes the reports of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of assembly and of association and the Special Rapporteur on the right to education.

Joint statement on attacks against civil society

We first took the initiative of a Council resolution on civil society space in 2013.

Statement: Investigation needed into human rights violations in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

35th session UN Human Rights Council Statement on situation of human rights in the Democratic Republic of the Congo  20 June 2017 CIVICUS shares the concern of the High Commissioner over the widespread human rights violations committed in the Kasai Central and Kasai Oriental provinces of the DRC since August 2016.

Statement: Civil society rights violations on a global scale

35th session UN Human Rights Council General Debate 20 June 2017   In Egypt CIVICUS expresses its serious concern over the issuance of Law 70 of 2017 which further restricts space for human rights monitoring, advocacy and reporting.

Statement on Burundi at the UN Human Rights Council

35th session UN Human Rights Council Oral Statement – Interactive Dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Burundi 15 June 2017 CIVICUS remains deeply concerned by the gross human rights violations committed with impunity by the government since the Commission’s previous Council briefing on 13 March 2017.

Statement on Ethiopia’s noncompliance with UN human rights evaluation

35th session UN Human Rights Council General Debate – Ethiopia’s noncompliance with UN Special Rapporteurs 16 June 2017 CIVICUS welcomes the Communication report of Special Procedures, which sheds light on the breadth of work undertaken by this unique mechanism of the Human Rights Council.
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Statement on human rights violations in Eritrea

35th session UN Human Rights Council 14 June 2017 Statement during the interactive dialogue on the report of the Special Rapporteur on situation of human rights in Eritrea CIVICUS welcomes the report of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea and applauds her unwavering efforts to ampifly the voices of civil society and victims of human rights violations in Eritrea and in the diaspora.

Joint statement on LGBTI rights: More safeguards needed against violence and discrimination

35th session of the Human Rights Council Independent Expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity 12 June, 2017 CIVICUS and 23 civil society groups from 12 countries were deprived from delivering this statement during the SOGI ID but given the high number of signatories, we feel compelled to deliver it.

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