Geneva

Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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).
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

#HRC56: Joint NGO end-of-session statement

Geneva
States have an obligation to pay UN membership dues in full and in time.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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).
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

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.
Featured

55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: post-session assessment and key outcomes

Geneva
The 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) began on 26 February in the context of ongoing and unfolding human rights crises and grave human rights violations and abuses.
Featured

HRC55: Joint civil society end-of-session statement

Geneva
The failure of States to pay their membership dues to the United Nations in full and in time, and the practice of conditioning funding on unilateral political goals is causing a financial liquidity crisis for the organisation, the impacts of which are felt by victims and survivors of human rights violations and abuses.
Featured

#HRC55: Member States should renew their attention to the human rights situation in the Philippines

Geneva
Delivered by Gyan Kothari Mr.
Featured

Democratic Republic of the Congo: urgent action needed to prevent further violations of civic freedoms

Geneva
Statement delivered at the UN Human Rights Council's 55th session Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on the Democratic Republic of Congo Delivered by Sigrid Lipott While we laud the promulgation of the law on the protection and responsibility of HRDs, concerns persist on ongoing violations against HRDs, notably intimidation and arbitrary arrests of defenders.
Featured

Grave situation in Gaza demands assertive and decisive action

Geneva
Statement at the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  General Debate Item 7 Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Mr President, The already challenging and brutal civic context in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPTs) continues to be exacerbated by the escalating conflict.
Featured

Philippines: Civil society Calls for the Renewal of UN's Joint Human Rights Programme

Geneva
CIVICUS joins national and international non-governmental and civil society organisations in urging the Council's attention to the ongoing UN Joint Programme on Human Rights (UNJP) in the Philippines, concluding in 2024.
Featured

HRC55: States should safeguard civic space and human rights amidst escalating crises

Geneva
Statement at the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council General Debate Item 4Delivered by Sigrid LipottThank you Mr President,CIVICUS encourages the Council to play a more assertive role in preventing rather than reacting to human rights crises and serious crimes.
Featured

Venezuela: UN Human Rights Council should Extend and Strengthen Fact-Finding Mission

Geneva
Statement at the 55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on Venezuela Delivered by Marysabel Rodríguez Thank you Mr.

Panel discussion on countering religious hatred constituting incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence

Geneva
At the 55th Session of the Human Rights Council, Article 19 delivered a joint intervention on behalf of CIVICUS and a group of organisations, expressing our concerns about the increasing hatred against individuals based on their religion or belief worldwide.
Featured

HRC55: Address crackdown on civic space in Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka

Geneva
UN Human Rights Council – 55th sessionGeneral Debate Item 2Delivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUSThank you 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 the first early warning sign on which the Council should act.
Featured

Human Rights Council: ensure continuous international oversight and investigations in South Sudan

Geneva
UN Human Rights Council – 55th session Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan Delivered by Sigrid Lipott  Thank you, Mr.
Featured

Nicaragua: The UN must demand accountability and intensify efforts on human rights

Geneva
UN Human Rights Council- 55th regular session of the Human Rights Council Interactive dialogue on the report of the Group of Experts on Human Rights on Nicaragua Delivered by Amaru Ruiz Aleman Thank you, Mr.
Featured

Open Letter to the Ambassadors of Member States of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to the UN Human Rights Council

Geneva
CIVICUS and other organistions including ForumAsia, DefendDefenders and Artcicle 19 have submitted a joint statement expressing their support for and appeal for a regular technical rollover of the upcoming resolution on "combating intolerance, negative stereotyping, and stigmatisation of, and discrimination, incitement to violence, and violence against, persons based on religion or belief.
Featured

CIVICUS at the 55th Regular Session of the Human Rights Council: Advocacy priorities

Geneva
In the upcoming 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council (26 February to 05 April 2024) 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 fundamental freedoms, supporting civil society where they face grave risk, as well as bringing the voices of civil society and enabling the participation of civic groups and grassroots organisations to the Council.
Featured

South Sudan: As elections loom, extend vital Human Rights Commission mandate

Geneva
Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 55th session (HRC55, 26 February-5 April 2024), over 90 NGOs call on the Council to extend the mandate of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS).
Featured

CIVICUS pledges to strengthen commitment towards the protection of human rights defenders

Geneva
The year-long Human Rights 75 Initiative campaign culminates this week with the Human Rights 75 High-level event held on 11-12 December.
Featured

Over 80 groups call on UN to appoint rapporteur on democracy

Geneva
Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Featured

Bangladesh: States must call out violations of civic freedoms at upcoming UN review

Geneva
CIVICUS, a global human rights alliance and the Asian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) call upon states to use the upcoming human rights review of Bangladesh at the UN Human Rights Council to call out its ongoing failure to fully implement previous recommendations related to civic freedoms.
Featured

UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Eritrea & Vietnam

Geneva
CIVICUS and its partners have made UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Afghanistan, Cambodia, Eritrea and Viet Nam.
Featured

HRC54: Takeaways and Outcomes from the UN Human Rights Council

Geneva
The 54th regular session of the UN Human Rights Council began on 11 September in the context of ongoing and unfolding human rights crises.
Featured

CIVICUS urges Cambodia, Georgia, Somalia and Yemen to take tangible and consistent steps to protect civic space

Geneva
   Statement at the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council Item 10 General DebateDelivered by Róisín Dunbar CIVICUS regrets that despite the technical assistance provided, lack of commitment to civic space by States continues to hinder full enjoyment of human rights.
Featured

Cambodia: UN should ensure enhanced monitoring and reporting to address assault on civic and political space

Geneva
Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with UN Special Rapporteur on CambodiaDelivered by Sigrid Lipott, CIVICUSThank you, Mrs.
Featured

#HRCElections2023: Members of the Human Rights Council must protect and expand civic space

Geneva
On 10 October 2023, UN Member States will gather in New York to elect 15 new Members to the Human Rights Council for the 2024-2026 term.
Featured

Democratic Republic of the Congo: Ending impunity for human rights violations must be a priority

Geneva
Statement at the 54th Session of the Human Rights Council  Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Democratic Republic of the Congo  Delivered by Róisín Dunbar   Thank you, Mr President,  CIVICUS welcomes the High Commissioner’s report, and we share your concerns on ongoing restrictions on civic freedoms in the DRC.
Featured

Adoption of the UPR Outcomes – United Arab Emirates

Geneva
Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights CouncilAdoption of the UPR Outcomes – United Arab EmiratesDelivered by Róisín DunbarThank you, Mr President,CIVICUS, the Emirates Detainees Advocacy Centre and the Gulf Centre for Human Rights welcome the government of the UAE’s engagement with the UPR process, and especially its support for 19 UPR recommendations related to civic space.
Featured

Burundi's Adoption of Universal Periodic Review Outcome

Geneva
Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on Human Rights -- Outcome Adoption for Burundi Delivered by Pierre-Claver MBONIMPA , Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Droits Humains et des Personnes Détenues  Thank you, Mr President, Association Burundaise pour la Protection des Droits Humains et des Personnes Détenues (APRODH) and CIVICUS welcome the government of Burundi’s engagement with the UPR process.
Featured

Shrinking civic space in Bangladesh, the Philippines and India continues unabated

Geneva
Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council  General Debate Item 4 Delivered by Róisín Dunbar , CIVICUS Thank you, Mr President, The new CIVICUS Monitor Watchlist, highlights serious concerns regarding the rapid decline in respect for civic space in Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, Senegal and the United Arab Emirates.
Featured

Myanmar: UN must take action to prevent refoulement and end brutal campaigns against Rohingya

Geneva
     Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights CouncilInteractive Dialogue on written update of the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in MyanmarDelivered by May Thiri Khin,  Burma Human Rights Network Thank you, Mr.
Featured

Burundi: Despite easing of some restrictions media and civil society continue to face repression

Geneva
Statement at the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Debate with the Special Rapporteur on Burundi Delivered by Agnès Ndirubusa  Thank you, Mr President, CIVICUS and independent Burundian civil society organisations thank the Special Rapporteur for his report and continued work.

Sign up for our newsletters

Our Newsletters

civicus logo white

CIVICUS is a global alliance that champions the power of civil society to create positive change.

brand x FacebookLogo YoutubeLogo InstagramLogo LinkedinLogo TikTokLogo BlueSkyLogo

Johannesburg Hub

25  Owl Street, 6th Floor

Johannesburg
South Africa
2092

Tel: +27 (0)11 833 5959


Fax: +27 (0)11 833 7997

UN Hub: New York

CIVICUS, c/o We Work

450 Lexington Ave

New York
NY
10017

United States

UN Hub: Geneva

11 Avenue de la Paix

Geneva

Switzerland
CH-1202

Tel: +41 (0)79 910 3428