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CIVICUS' Advocacy Priorities at the 54th session of the Human Rights Council

As a global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, CIVICUS’s key priorities and recommendations ahead of the 54th Session of the UN Human Rights Council (11 September - 13 October) relate to protecting fundamental freedoms and supporting civil society where they face grave risk.
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Joint Universal Periodic Review (#UPR45) Submissions on Civil Society Space

CIVICUS makes UN Universal Periodic Review (UPR) submissions on civil society space in Chad, China, Malaysia, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, and Senegal.
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HRC53: CIVICUS' key takeaways from Human Rights Council

CIVICUS’ key priorities and recommendations during the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council focussed on the protection of fundamental freedoms and support to civil society where they face grave risk.

HRC53: Joint end of session statement

We welcome the resolution put forward by the OIC to ensure the full implementation of the United Nations database of businesses facilitating Israeli settlements in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as the recent publication of the partial update to the database issued by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights on 30 June 2023.

Pakistan: Alarm over attacks on human rights defenders and journalists

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report of Pakistan Delivered by Gulalai Ismail Thank you, Mr President.

Sri Lanka: Space for civil society continues to be under attack

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report of Sri Lanka Delivered by Tharindu Jayawardhana Thank you, Mr President.

Myanmar: Restrictions on civil society hamper humanitarian action

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue on written update of the High Commissioner on Myanmar Delivered by Kyaw Win Thank you Mr.

Benin: Freedom of expression restricted

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the UPR report of Benin Delivered by Cristina Figueira Shah Thank you, Mr President.

Burundi: Violations of fundamental rights continue

Statement at the UN Human Rights Council – 53rd Session Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Burundi Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you, Mr.
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El espacio cívico sigue reduciéndose en Peru

Declaración Oral: Consejo de Derechos Humanos – 53° período de sesiones y aprobación del Informe EPU Entregada por Humberto Mendez Ramos Saludos desde la Asociación por los Derechos Humanos (APRODEH).

Venezuela: Persecution against government critics continues

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner report on Venezuela Delivered by CIVICUS and Espacio Público Thank you Mr President, In Venezuela, persecution against government critics continues.
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Sudan War: Protect Refugees and displaced persons, including women and women's rights defenders

CIVICUS joins civil society organisations in urging the international community to ensure the protection of refugees and internally displaced persons including women and women human rights defenders in Sudan.
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Eritrea: the state of civic space remains closed and a matter of grave concern

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Eritrea Delivered by Helen Kidan Thank you, Mr.
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Sudan: severe humanitarian and human rights crisis requires swift international action

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner's report on Sudan At #HRC53's interactive dialogue on 🇸🇩#Sudan, we: -called on the government to cease hostilities & respect #humanrights -urged neighboring countries to temporarily waive entry visa requirements & grant prima facie refugee status to those fleeing the violence.
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Afghanistan: time for the international community to hold the Taliban accountable

Statement at the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Enhanced Interactive Dialogue with the Working Group on discrimination against women and girls and the Special Rappoteur on Afghanistan 🇦🇫🇺🇳 The international community hasn't done enough to hold the #Taliban accountable for their rights abuses.
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CIVICUS' advocacy priorities at the 53rd session of the Human Rights Council

As a global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, CIVICUS’ key priorities and recommendations ahead of the 53rd Session of the UN Human Rights Council relate to protecting fundamental freedoms and supporting civil society where they face grave risk.
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Eritrea: Council resolution should outline human rights situation & extend the Special Rapporteur’s mandate

To Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council (Geneva, Switzerland) Excellencies, Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s 53rd session (19 June-14 July 2023), we, the undersigned non-governmental organisations, are writing to urge your delegation to support the development and adoption of a resolution that extends the mandate of the Special Rap­por­teur on the situation of hu­man rights in Eritrea for one year.
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Sudan: Urgently convene a special session and establish an investigative mechanism

TO PERMANENT REPRESENTATIVES OF MEMBER AND OBSERVER STATES OF THE UNITED NATIONS (UN) HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL (GENEVA, SWITZERLAND) Excellencies, In light of the unfolding human rights crisis in Sudan, and notwithstanding efforts to stop the fighting by the African Union (AU), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and other regional and international actors, we, the undersigned non-governmental organisations, are writing to urge your delegation to address the human rights dimensions of the crisis by supporting the convening of a special session of the UN Human Rights Council.
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UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space in Bangladesh, Colombia, Cuba and Djibouti

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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52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council: Post-Session Assessment and Key Outcomes

The 52nd session of the Human Rights Council was held over almost six weeks of debates, negotiations and events, drawing to a close on 4 April 2023 with 43 resolutions adopted by its 47 member states on a range of country situations and thematic issues.
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#HRC52: End of Session Statement

Statement at the 52nd Sesssion of the UN Human Rights Council  Thank you President.
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South Africa: threats and attacks against civil society actors continue

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  UPR Outcomes Adoption – South Africa Delivered by Nicola Paccamiccio Thank you, Mr President.
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Poland: complete failure in implementing civic space recommendations

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  UPR outcome adoption - Poland Delivered by Kinga Lozinska             Thank you, Mr President.
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Brazil: it is time to rebuild a stronger democracy and a more open civic space  

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council UPR Outcome Adoption – Brazil Delivered by Maria Eduarda Pessoa de Assis Instituto Igarapé and CIVICUS welcome the government of Brazil’s engagement with the Universal Periodic Review process.
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Philippines: the persecution and criminalisation of defenders, journalists and dissenters continues

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of the Philippines Delivered by Cristina Palabay, Karapatan Thank you, Mr.
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India: no commitment to review draconian restrictive laws

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  UPR Outcome Adoption – India Delivered by Meha Khanduri, Human Rights Defenders Alert-India Thank you, Mr President.
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Algeria: activists continue to be arrested for exercising their fundamental rights

Arabic Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Outcomes – Algeria Delivered by Rachid Aouine Thank you, Mr President.
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Indonesia: restrictive laws used to target activists, journalists and government critics

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  UPR Outcome Adoption – Indonesia Delivered by Cornelius Hanung Thank you, Mr.
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Ecuador: despite commitments, criminalisation and violence continue with impunity

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of UPR Outcomes on Ecuador Delivered by Nicola Paccamiccio Thank you, Mr President.
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Tunisia: Adoption of UPR Outcome in the context of increased civic space restrictions

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Adoption of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) report of Tunisia Delivered by Nicola Paccamiccio Thank you, Mr President.
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Prevention should be at the core of the Council’s approach to human rights crisis

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  General Debate Item 4 Delivered by Sigrid Lipott Thank you Mr President, CIVICUS is convinced that the Council should play a more assertive role in preventing rather than reacting to human rights crisis, and the rapid deterioration of civic space is the first early warning sign on which the Council should act.
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Ethiopia: international scrutiny must continue to ensure peace and stability in the country

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Commission on Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia Delivered by Sibahle Zuma Thank you, Mr President, CIVICUS and its partners in Ethiopia welcome the renewal of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia’s mandate at the 51st Human Rights Council Session.
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Venezuela: the lack of guarantees for fundamental freedoms requires the Council's continuous scrutiny

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue on the High Commissioner oral update on Venezuela Delivered by Marysabel Rodríguez,  Thank you Mr President, In Venezuela there are no guarantees for freedom of expression, peaceful protest and the right to association.
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Myanmar: civic space is under assault - meaningful and robust resolution needed

Statement at the 52nd Session of the Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Myanmar Delivered by Kyaw Win Thank you, Mr.
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Guatemala: the international community must play an assertive role in protecting Guatemalans’ civic freedoms

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Item 2 General Debate Delivered by Nicola Paccamiccio Thank you Mr.
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South Sudan: the Commission’s mandate remains crucial as the civil & political space continues to deteriorate.

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan Delivered by Nicola Paccamiccio Thank you, Mr President, CIVICUS and its South Sudanese partners welcome the report of the Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan.
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Nicaragua: the Council must renew the mandate of the Group of Human Rights Experts

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council Interactive Dialogue with the Group of Human Rights Experts on Nicaragua Delivered by Amaru Ruiz Thank you, Mr.
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Myanmar: the junta’s efforts to erase religious minorities must be stopped

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the High Commissioner on Myanmar Delivered by Kyaw Win, Burma Human Rights Network (BHRN)  Thank you, Mr.
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Afghanistan: the Council must expedite discussions towards a more robust international accountability mechanism

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan Delivered by Horia Mosadiq, Afghan human rights activist Thank you, Mr.
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Eritrea: a real challenge to the UN system and the international community

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on human rights situation in Eritrea Delivered by Sibahle Zuma Thank you, Mr President, Despite being elected to the UN Human Rights Council for the period 2022-2024, Eritrea poses a real challenge to the UN system and the international community.
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Sudan: The increasing violence requires the Council’s attention

Statement at the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council  Interactive Dialogue on High Commissioner's oral update on Sudan Delivered by Nicola Paccamiccio Thank you, Mr President, CIVICUS and its partners in Sudan welcome the oral update by the High Commissioner.
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Open letter: The UN Human Rights Council must take concrete steps to actualise justice and bolster support for the people of Myanmar’s will for federal democracy and human rights

In this joint letter, CIVICUS and several civil society organisations call for the adoption of a robust resolution which reflects Myanmar people’s democratic will, seeks to advance accountability, and supports effective locally-led humanitarian assistance.
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Threats to terminate the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia

To: Permanent Representatives of Member and Observer States of the United Nations Human Rights Council Excellencies, We, the undersigned civil society and human rights organisations, are alarmed by the 15 February announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ethiopia to the Executive Council of the African Union that the Ethiopian government is planning to present a resolution at the upcoming session of the UN Human Rights Council to terminate the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE).
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CSOs urge Human Rights Council to establish an independent investigative mechanism on Belarus

Ahead of the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council, CIVICUS joins international and Belarusian civil society organisations (CSOs) in urging Human Rights Council member and observer states to establish an independent investigative mechanism to complement and follow-up on the work of the existing Office of the High Commissioner on Human Rights (OHCHR) examination.
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Advocacy priorities at the 52nd Session of UN Human Rights Council

As a global civil society alliance with a mandate to strengthen citizen action and civil society throughout the world, CIVICUS’ key priorities and recommendations ahead of the 52nd Session of the UN Human Rights Council (27 February to 4 April) relate to protecting fundamental freedoms and supporting civil society where they face grave risk.
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South Sudan: Extend the UN Commission’s mandate for two years

Advocacy, News, South Sudan, Statements & Submissions, UN system and Human Rights Council South Sudan.
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CIVICUS' UN Universal Periodic Review submissions on civil society space in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) & Burundi

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.

Human rights crisis in Nicaragua: the UN Human Rights Council must strengthen and renew for two years its resolution on Nicaragua

Joint Statement during the Interactive Dialogue with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on NicaraguaSpeaker: Juan Carlos Arce   I deliver this statement on behalf of 34 Nicaraguan and international organisations, of which 12 are part of the Colectivo 46/2, a coalition that monitors Nicaragua’s cooperation with the UN human rights system.
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Nicaragua: Growing human rights violations require UN scrutiny to continue

UN Human Rights Council – Intersessional Activity Interactive Dialogue on the interim oral update by the High Commissioner on the human rights situation in Nicaragua 🇳🇮#SOSNicaragua: Nos preocupa el creciente número de desplazados forzosos y los + de 240 presos políticos recluidos en condiciones degradantes y tratados cruelmente en las cárceles del país.
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Iran: the UN must establish a fact-finding mission to ensure accountability and stop gross human rights violations.

UN Human Rights Council – 35th Special Session on Iran  Delivered by Nicola Paccamiccio Thank you, Mr.

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