Geneva

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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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Venezuela: Civic space closed, repression intensifies post-election

Geneva
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Delivered by Beatriz Borges Thank you, Mr.
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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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Nicaragua: Renewed support needed to address severe civic space closure and human rights violations

Geneva
Statement at the 58th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on the Report of the Group of Experts on Human Rights on Nicaragua Delivered by Amaru Ruiz Aleman Dear members of the Human Rights Council and the Group of Experts, The new constitution imposed by the Nicaraguan government, which reforms more than 60% of the articles, was not consulted with the citizens, and therefore lacks legitimacy.
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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.

Statement on Pakistan's Review under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR)

Geneva
ORAL STATEMENT BY CIVICUS Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Examination of Pakistan’s International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) Report  Chairperson, Honourable Committee members, CIVICUS welcomes this opportunity to share with you some of the organization’s main concerns about Pakistan’s civic space record.

Joint Submission for Universal Periodic Review (#UPR49) on Civil Society Space in the Lao People's Democratic Republic

Geneva
CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submission on civil society space in Lao People’s Democratic Republic The United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States once every 4.

#HRC57: Joint civil society end-of-session statement

Geneva
States continue to fail to meet their obligations under international law to put an end to decades of Israeli crimes committed against the Palestinian people, including the genocide in Gaza, and most recently Israel’s war on Lebanon.

Cambodia: Reform laws, free human rights defenders, and end civil society harassment

Geneva
UN Human Rights Council – 57th Session Interactive Debate with UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you Mr.

57th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: Post-Session Assessment and Key Outcomes

Geneva
The 57th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council began on 9 September and concluded on 11 October 2024 with 37 Resolutions and 14 adoptions of the Universal Period Review (UPR).

Haiti must promote solidarity and protect civilians’ safety, dignity, and rights, during its ongoing humanitarian crisis

Geneva
Statement at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on the interim report of the High Commissioner on Haiti Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you, Mr President.

#HRC57: States still falling short on human rights commitments despite technical assistance

Geneva
Statement at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council    Item 10 General Debate Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Mr.

Cambodia must implement UPR recommendations to halt criminalisation of activists and the political opposition

Geneva
  Statement at the 57th Sesssion of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report of Cambodia Delivered by Juli Lopez Arenas Mr.

Vietnam must implement UPR recommendations to revise restrictive laws and release human rights defenders

Geneva
 Statement at the 57th Session of the Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report of Vietnam Delivered by Juli Lopez Arenas Thank you, Mr President.

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.

Civil society data should inform policy-making, particularly regarding the reduction of civic space

Geneva
Statement at the UN Human Rights Council – 57th session General Debate item 3 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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Bangladesh: urgent call for independent mechanism to ensure justice and accountability during transition

Geneva
Statement at the 57th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  General Debate item 2 Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS  Thank you Mr President.
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Joint letter: Call for the renewal of the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Russian Federation

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 57th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC).
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Venezuela: UN Rights Council should renew experts’ mandate

Geneva
International Accountability Urgently Needed Amid Intensifying Post-Election Repression The United Nations Human Rights Council should renew the mandate of its Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on Venezuela, 30 national and international organizations defending human rights in Venezuela said today.
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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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CIVICUS at the 57th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council

Geneva
In the upcoming 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council (9 September to 11 October) CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, will prioritise protecting civic space and core civic freedoms, supporting civil society where they face grave, new and emerging risks.
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56th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: Post- Session Assessment and Key Outcomes

Geneva
The 56th  regular session of the UN Human Rights Council began on 18 June in the context of ongoing and unfolding human rights crises and grave human rights violations and abuses.
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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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Burundi: As the elections approach, civic space remains dire for CSOs and journalists

Geneva
Statement at the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council ITEM 4: Interactive Dialogue on oral update of Special Rapporteur on Burundi Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS Mr President.
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Venezuela: Arbitrary detentions and severe restrictions to freedom of expression continue amid increasing repression

Geneva
 Statement at the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's report on VenezuelaDelivered by  Carlos CorreaThank you, Mr.
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Belarus: end systematic repression, release arbitrarily detained

Geneva
     Statement at the 56th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on BelarusDelivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUS Thank you Mr President.
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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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HRC56: States should enhance the protection of the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and association

Geneva
Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and associationDelivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUSThank you Mr President.
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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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Myanmar: Urgent action needed to halt the assault on civic space and human rights violations

Geneva
UN Human Rights Council – 56th SessionInteractive Dialogue on the report of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on the Situation of human rights of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in MyanmarDelivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUSCIVICUS and the Burma Human Rights Network thank the High Commissioner for his report and remains concern about the states of civic space and the situation of Rohingya Muslims and other minorities in Myanmar.
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CIVICUS at the 56th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: Advocacy Priorities

Geneva
In the upcoming 56th session of the UN Human Rights Council (18 June to 12 July) CIVICUS, the global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, will prioritise protecting civic space and core freedoms, supporting civil society where they face grave risk, and enabling the participation and engagement of civic groups with the Council.
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UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space in Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Nicaragua & Qatar

Geneva
The United Nations Human Rights Council's Universal Periodic Review is a unique process which involves a review of the human rights records of all 193 UN Member States once every 4.

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