@ishr.ch
Committed to #HumanRights, we support defenders in their work for freedom, dignity, equality, justice, and other fundamental values. Follow us for insights on human rights systems and mechanisms. Sign up to our newsletters: https://ishr.ch/newsletter
At a crossroads – Breaking the cycle of crisis: Joint civil society submission on the status of the Treaty Bodies.
ISHR along with other CSO's submit recommendations for the 6th biennial report of the Secretary-General on the status of the UN human rights treaty bodies.
https://ow.ly/CsC650YqbUZ
ISHR's Elise Golay will meet with filmmakers for the #FIFDHGenève Impact Days and answer questions around collaboration between them and International organisations when designing their Impact Strategy.
Here are the details:
📅 Monday, March 9
🕒 2:30 - 3:30 PM
📍 Espace Pitoëff - Librairie
On #InternationalWomensDay let's support those who defend the rights of women. Don't miss this event focusing on access to justice for women human rights defenders!
10 March - 4:30PM - UN Church Center, New York City
Ahead of #InternationalWomensDay, ISHR joined over 40 organisations calling for recognition of women and girls’ full dignity, equality and humanity, not just in words but in policies, in budgets, and implementation.
ishr.ch/latest-updat...
#IWD2026
✨ #FIFDH Genève starts TODAY! ✨
As a proud partner of this 24th edition, we invite you to join us in Geneva from 6 to 15 March 2026!
Discover the full programme here: 👉 fifdh.org/en
ISHR is proud to be hosting a side event during #HRC61 to discuss international law obligations of States regarding transnational repression.
📅 Monday, March 9
🕒 2:00 - 3:00 PM
📍 Palais Des Nations, Room VIII
The event will be live-streamed on ISHR's YouTube.
More info 👉 https://ow.ly/f3wq50YoxC5
ISHR is proud to be co-sponsoring a #HRC61 side event with AfricanDefenders that will discuss the rebuild of legal, institutional, and care frameworks for human rights defenders in exile.
Event details:
📅 March 9th
🕒 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
📍 Room VIII, Palais de Nations, Geneva
ISHR is co-organizing an event with Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition about the access to justice for women HRDs!
📅 March 10
🕒 4:30-6:00 PM
📍 UN Church Center, 11th floor, New York
🗣️ Languages: English & French (interpretation provided)
Register: 👉 http://bit.ly/3OdYoEC
Join us at this event organised by Peace Brigades International - Switzerland to discuss the findings of the SR on Adequate Housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, after his official visit in Guatemala. The discussion will focus on forced evictions and protection of land and Indigenous defenders.
Join us at this event organized by Franciscans International to discuss the risks and challenges to human rights work in the Philippines.
Date & Time: 5 March 2026, 12:00-13:00
Venue: Room IX.
Lead Organization: Franciscans International
ISHR is proud to be hosting a side event during #HRC61 to discuss the international law obligations of States regarding transnational repression.
Details:
📅 Monday, March 9
🕒 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 Palais Des Nations, Room VIII
More info here 👉 https://ow.ly/x8vZ50Yo39z
Andrea Bolaños Vargas set to become next focal point for defenders at the UN.
The Human Rights Council President has proposed that States select Bolaños Vargas as the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders by the end of the body’s ongoing 61st session.
https://ow.ly/c22Z50YoEIN
ISHR is proud to be hosting a side event during #HRC61 to discuss the international law obligations of States regarding transnational repression.
Details:
📅 Monday, March 9
🕒 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
📍 Palais Des Nations, Room VIII
More info here 👉 https://ow.ly/x8vZ50Yo39z
Join us TOMORROW for an event that we are co-hosting with the Permanent Mission of South Africa and ISMUN, to discuss the human rights situation of young people living under prolonged occupation.
Date & Time: March 3rd, from 12:00-13:00
Venue: Room III
A cross-regional coalition of over 80 States issued a joint declaration at the UN Human Rights Council emphasising the critical need to defend multilateralism amidst escalating global conflicts and eroding respect for international law and human rights.
On #WorldNGODay, we celebrate the vital role NGOs play in advancing human rights, development, and accountability worldwide.
Their voices must be heard at the UN. Competitive elections to the NGO Committee matter.
#OpenTheDoors2NGOs
https://ishr.ch/campaigns/ngo-committee-elections/
✨ #FIFDH Genève starts next week! ✨
As a proud partner of this 24th edition, we invite you to join us in Geneva from 6 to 15 March 2026.
Discover the full programme here: 👉 fifdh.org/en
Join us at this event organized by Franciscans International to discuss the risks and challenges to human rights work in the Philippines.
Date & Time: 5 March 2026, 12:00-13:00
Venue: Room IX.
Lead Organization: Franciscans International
Join us at this event organised by Peace Brigades International - Switzerland to discuss the findings of the SR on Adequate Housing, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, after his official visit in Guatemala. The discussion will focus on forced evictions and protection of land and Indigenous defenders.
ISHR is co-organizing an event with Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition about the access to justice for women HRDs!
📅 March 10
🕒 4:30-6:00 PM
📍 UN Church Center, 11th floor, New York
🗣️ Languages: English & French (interpretation provided)
Register: 👉 http://bit.ly/3OdYoEC
Ahead of his opening address to the @unhrc.bsky.social 61st session, ISHR and 25 civil society organisations called on High Commissioner @volkerturk.bsky.social to detail investigations into China’s alleged atrocity crimes.
https://ow.ly/mNPk50YmhA0
The UN ECOSOC Committee on NGOs determines which civil society organisations can access and engage with the UN.
Non-competitive elections undermine accountability, transparency, and fair elections. #OpenTheDoors2NGOs
🔗Read more: https://ishr.ch/campaigns/ngo-committee-elections/
Organisations urge Human Rights Council President to strengthen civil society participation.
As the Human Rights Council marks its 20th anniversary, 26 civil society organisations have outlined key expectations for the incoming Council President and Bureau.
https://ow.ly/uHHJ50YkeuF
On behalf of a coalition of NGOs that engage closely with the General Assembly Third Committee, ISHR’s Maithili Pai delivered a joint statement surrounding the thematic focus of 'Civil Society Perspectives on Strengthening Working Methods and Delivering on Mandates.'
https://ow.ly/R8kc50Yk60H
ISHR is co-organizing an event with Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition about the access to justice for women HRDs!
📅 March 10
🕒 4:30-6:00 PM
📍 UN Church Center, 11th floor, New York
🗣️ Languages: English & French (interpretation provided)
Register: 👉 http://bit.ly/3OdYoEC
#UN80: In the context of the UN80 Workstream 2, ISHR and 17 other civil society partners sent to UN Member States a joint submission on the mandate implementation review zero draft resolution. Read more: https://ishr.ch/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/20260210_UN80-WS2-Joint-NGO-SubmissionFINAL.pdf
All States should pay their UN dues in full and on time, failing which they are complicit in the UN's bankruptcy!
For more information, check out our #UN80 campaign 'Reforming the UN human rights system: defenders’ voices matter!'
ishr.ch/campaigns/re...
As of the UN's last update on 13 February, only 68 Member States have paid their regular budget contributions for 2026 - see the full list via the link below. The United States still owes 95% of outstanding UN regular budget contributions.
www.un.org/en/ga/contri...
The United Nations' Secretary-General @antonio-guterres.bsky.social has warned the UN faces 'imminent financial collapse', because Member States are not paying their dues on time. ISHR will now regularly keep track of and update you on payments.
Photo credit: UN Photo /Pierre Albouy
✨ The wait is over! The 2026 Programme of #FIFDH Genève, is out now!
As a proud partner of this 24th edition, we invite you to join us in Geneva from 6 to 15 March 2026.
Discover the full programme here: 👉 fifdh.org/en