Sixty-first (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 continues 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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

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.

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.

The UN World Food Forum (WFF) is a global platform that brings together youth, civil society, scientists and policy-makers to address the urgent challenges facing the world’s food systems.

The UN Committee Against Torture (CAT) will hold its 83rd session from 10–28 November 2025, where it will review the human rights records of Argentina, Albania Bahrain and Israel.

CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Niger, Singapore, Paraguay and Sierra Leone.

The 60th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council ran from 8 September to October 8, 2025, resulting in 35 Resolutions one Decision, and 14 Universal Period Review adoptions.

  The 60th session of the UN Human Rights Council has just concluded.

Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session Interactive Dialogue with the UN Special Rapporteur on Cambodia Delivered by: Olimjon Bakhtaliev Mr.

  Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session  Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Türkiye Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev Mr President, CIVICUS welcomes Türkiye’s engagement in the UPR process and its stated commitment to human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

Statement at the 60th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council  Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Delivered by Olimjon Bakhtaliev Mr.

Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session Interactive Dialogue on UN Secretary General's report on cooperation with the United Nations Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you, Mr President.

Statement at the UN Human Rights Council's 60th Session General Debate Item 4 Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Mr President, CIVICUS believes that the Council should play a more assertive role in preventing rather than reacting to human rights crises.

Statement at the UN Human Rights Council 60th Session General Debate item 3 Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you, Mr President.

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.

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.

  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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.