Very positive outcomes from just concluded session of UN Human Rights Council, including new investigative and accountability mechanism on Afghanistan, as well as renewed mechanisms to address systemic racism and grave violations in Sudan and Russia #HRC60 ishr.ch/latest-updat... @ishr.ch

For the past four years, the Taliban have intensified attacks on women and girls' rights in Afghanistan, amounting to what UN experts have labeled “gender apartheid.” The UN Human Rights Council should urgently establish an accountability mechanism to address impunity and advance justice.

📰: «La répression transnationale, en particulier contre les défenseurs des droits humains, est une tendance qui s’aggrave», confirme notre directeur @philalynch.bsky.social dans cette enquête de Swissinfo.

✊ We did it! Because we showed up and spoke out, the #IESOGI mandate continues and the voice that fights with and for us at the UN is still here! 🌍 Now and always, we'll continue fighting for each other. The work isn’t over. Let’s keep going. 💪🌈 #RenewIESOGI

Addressed the UN Human Rights Council this week on behalf of @ishr.ch with four key messages: 1. The work of human rights defenders is essential for the realisation of all human rights. They must be supported, protected and free.

Humanity’s future depends on all States increasing their commitments and investment in human rights - the foundations of international peace, justice, security and development. #HRC59 @ishr.ch ishr.ch/latest-updat...

📢 Join us on Monday, 16 June at 1:00 PM CET in Room XXV, Palais des Nations for the side event ‘Defenders’ Voices on Reforming the UN Human Rights System.’ Hear directly from those on the frontline of human rights on why a UN reform is urgent. ➡️ More info: ishr.ch/events/defen...

#HRDAP25 begins in person! Fourteen dedicated human rights defenders from all over the 🌍 world are now in Geneva to continue their training, strengthen their skills, and build a global community dedicated to advancing human rights. Welcome to Geneva ❤️

We deplore US sanctions against judges of #ICC, inc former @ishr.ch Board member Reine Alapini-Gansou. Such sanctions undermine the international rule of law and promote impunity for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Relevant US officials should themselves face sanction for perverting justice.

Really pleased to launch this new report: based on extensive data, we expose Beijing's strategy to silence, deter and block NGOs at the UN. The report was widely covered in today's investigation on China's transnational repression by @icij.org, @theguardian.com, @lemonde.fr, @elpais.com and others.

#China govt’s “expanding reach into the #UnitedNations comes…when many…civil society groups that used the #HRC to hold authoritarian governments like China accountable are facing a funding crisis as the U.S. govt & other key donors have shifted funding priorities.” thediplomat.com/2025/04/how-...

📢 ISHR launches a key report uncovering #China's tactics to block civil society’s access to the #UnitedNations. Deferrals of NGO accreditation applications, reprisals against activists, growing number of 'government-organised NGOs' - read the full story here: ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Dans une chronique de la Tribune de Genève, Gerald Staberock, secrétaire général de l’@omctorg.bsky.social, Santiago Canton, secrétaire général de la CIJ, et @philalynch.bsky.social, directeur exécutif d'ISHR, alertent sur les impacts du manque d'investissement dans les #droitshumains.

With thanks to the leadership of @norwayingeneva.norway.no and a broad coalition of civil society and States, the UN Human Rights Council has adopted a landmark resolution on human rights defenders and technology! ishr.ch/latest-updat... #HRC58 @norwaymfa.government.no @ishr.ch

As I say in this article, the interests of vast majority of peoples and countries are not served by lawlessness and raw power. It’s time for a broad coalition of states to invest in the future and stand up for human rights, multilateral cooperation and the rule of law www.reuters.com/world/us-lob...

🚨 #HRC58: States should extend human rights investigation in Ukraine With overwhelming evidence of ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity associated with Russia's war of aggression, States should support the renewal of the mandate of the International Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine.

ISHR’s Annual Report is out 🔔! If 2024 was a year of resisting regress, 2025 must be the year we mount an ambitious human rights counter-offensive. Dive into our report to grasp our vision and discover how we can collectively emerge successful with stronger foundations. ➤ ishr.ch/defenders-to...

With overwhelming evidence of ongoing war crimes and crimes against humanity associated with Russia's war of aggression, States should support renewal of the mandate of the international Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine. ishr.ch/latest-updat... #HRC58 @ishr.ch #Ukraine @avalaina.bsky.social

#HRC58: As international human rights law and institutions face unprecedented erosion, +70 States from across all world regions have come together to re-commit to human rights, the international rule of law, and multilateral cooperation 🙌: ishr.ch/latest-updat... @nlmissiongeneva.bsky.social

Complete the sentence: I trust billionaire oligarchs to care about me and my family's needs, because...

It is ludicrous that on the heels of taking its seat as a Human Rights Council member, Thailand chose to ignore compelling UN evidence and instead pointed to Beijing ‘reassurances’ that no harm would be done to the deported Uyghurs. @ishr.ch ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Thailand’s deportation of 40 Uyghurs to possible torture, ill-treatment & arbitrary detention in China is a flagrant breach of international law and incompatible with membership of UN Human Rights Council ishr.ch/latest-updat... #HRC58 @ishr.ch @vdraphael.bsky.social @uyghurproject.bsky.social

Powerful statement by my @ishr.ch colleague Salma El Hosseiny on need for immediate ceasefire, opening of humanitarian corridors, and increased international support for local humanitarian efforts, particularly those led by women’s groups, in #Sudan ishr.ch/latest-updat... #HRC58

Trump Administration moves to suspend military assistance to #Ukraine, a state defending itself from the crime of aggression, while increasing it to #Israel, a state perpetrating genocide, is a profound betrayal and will forever be a source of US shame condemned by history.

Happy #WorldTelemarkDay!

A call from UN experts for us all: States, civil society, businesses – every one who believes in ‘international law, justice, human rights, peace, security and sustainable development’ – must come together to defend these values and institutions that safeguard them. www.ohchr.org/en/press-rel...

'We are living in a moment of existential challenge for the international human rights system. Though no single State can alone fill the financial gap left by the US nor counter its influence, a diverse coalition of States can mitigate the damage,’ writes @philalynch.bsky.social.

📰: For our director @philalynch.bsky.social, hurricane Trump puts us before a choice: do we abandon the human rights house and accept a lawless future ruled by authoritarians and autocrats where might is right? Or do we act and invest now to protect it? genevasolutions.news/human-rights...

Hard to find superlatives to convey the world-altering state of today's geopolitics expressed by this vote. The US voting alongside Russia, Belarus, Eritrea, Mali, North Korea, Nicaragua against a resolution condemning Russian invasion of Ukraine. Even Cuba and China abstained.

A few reflections on how we can act collectively to save our human rights house - which provides indispensable protection and shelter - before it is completely destroyed by Hurricane Trump. #HRC58 genevasolutions.news/human-rights...

Latest Inside Geneva #podcast is out! Aid, cuts and consequences. With huge thanks to @philalynch.bsky.social @ishr @tamargabelnick.bsky.social @icbl.bsky.social and Dawn Clancy & Daniel Warner for their analysis. www.swissinfo.ch/eng/internat...

🔉📰: 'Universal human rights are at a critical juncture and are being eroded, threatened and instrumentalised in unprecedented ways. Now is the time to step up,' our Director @philalynch.bsky.social told @imogenfoulkes.bsky.social speaking about the US funding freeze.

“We don’t have 4 years. The int’l legal framework and universal human rights are at a critical juncture and are being eroded, threatened and instrumentalised in unprecedented ways. Now is the time to step up.” Pleased to join swissinfo.ch for this podcast. www.swissinfo.ch/eng/internat...

What should be the priorities for the HRC President & States in 2025? Read key messages shared at a reception welcoming the 2025 President @SwissAmbUN_GVA Jürg Lauber, where civil society, experts & diplomats discussed upcoming challenges & opportunities. ishr.ch/latest-updat...

A huge session of the UN Human Rights Council kicks off in just over a week. As usual @ishr.ch has you covered with a summary and analysis of all the key issues that are, or should be, on the agenda of the world’s peak multilateral human rights body #HRC58 ishr.ch/latest-updat...

“Despite multiple calls from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk and from UN Special Procedures experts as recently as November 2024, China has failed to address these grave violations.” www.nchrd.org/2025/02/join...

“Worn down by harassment and threats, many of Trump’s critics will be tempted to retreat to the sidelines. Such a retreat would be perilous. When fear, exhaustion, or resignation crowds out citizens’ commitment to democracy, emergent authoritarianism begins to take root.”

[1/3] The Trump Administration’s Attacks on International Law and Institutions: Public Statement by 16 US Human Rights Experts, Current and Former Members of UN Bodies www.justsecurity.org/107687/state...

@ishr.ch &30+ human rights groups from Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, Asia, stand in solidarity with human rights defenders in China five years after the 'Xiamen Gathering' crackdown. Full statement in English, Chinese, Spanish. #FreeXuZhiyong #FreeDingJiaxi ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Some most welcome good news

#HRC58: Civil society urges States to ensure an upcoming Human Rights Council resolution addresses the protection of human rights defenders from emerging risks resulting from technological trends and shifting online spaces.

79 States Parties respond to U.S. sanctions on the International Criminal Court:

Agreed! ICC member States should collectively respond to this flagrant violation of international law by themselves sanctioning any individual or institution who threatens or interferes with an ICC investigation or prosecution. #ICC

ICC member States should collectively respond to this flagrant violation of international law by themselves sanctioning any individual or institution who threatens or interferes with an ICC investigation or prosecution.

In our first @ishr.ch newsletter of 2025, we share an update on the US funding freeze, as well as how we can mount an ambitious human rights counter-offensive. We bring you news from El Salvador and Sudan, look at some impact highlights, and call for your support to combat systemic injustice.

Why are UN officials censoring criticism of the Saudi government? www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...

We are directly affected by the US funding freeze. We’ve already had to terminate, defer or reduce activities to support defenders working in restrictive contexts. Yet we can't afford to give up hope in our work for freedom, equality and justice, writes our director @philalynch.bsky.social.

It’s difficult to face 2025 with anything other than a sense of fear and despair. Yet these are precisely the understandable impulses we must resist, write @philalynch.bsky.social and the incoming and outgoing ISHR Board Chairs Taaka Awori and Vrinda Grover.

The future is ours to right. Together with the amazing incoming and outgoing Board Chairs of @ishr.ch, Taaka Awori and Vrinda Grover, I’ve identified 3 key challenges we must confront, and 10 key elements that should underpin an ambitious #humanrights counter-offensive. ishr.ch/latest-updat...

Passports confiscated, prison for contacting people abroad, tight control on travels in #Xinjiang " #China govt’s travel restrictions used to oppress #Uyghurs in Xinjiang & diaspora" @eudiplomacy.bsky.social: Time to sanction officials responsible of serious abuses. www.hrw.org/news/2025/02...