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For many human rights NGOs, UN access remains out of reach
Devex, 6 February 2020
ISHR's Eleanor Openshaw highlighted that many member States of the UN NGO Committee are using the Committee and operating through political interest to keep independent organisations out by blocking their ECOSOC accreditation. Read the full story here.

Le Tour d’Arabie Saoudite, nouvelle vitrine du régime
Libération, 2 février 2020
Phil Lynch, directeur d’ISHR, a dénoncé l’organisation du tour cycliste d’Arabie saoudite comme un moyen de « détourner l’attention de l’assassinat de [Jamal] Khashoggi […] et de la détention de la militante des droits des femmes Loujain al-Hathloul, kidnappée et emprisonnée en mars [2018]». Lire l'article ici.

The Trump administration’s new “birth tourism” policy, explained
Vox, 20 January 2020
As the US administration adopted a policy seeking to deny visas to people they suspect are coming to the country to give birth, ISHR highlighted that it was not the first time that the administration adopted such harmful policies against women. For instance, last year, more than 40 women were denied visas to attend the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women conference in New York. Read the full story here. 

Australia urged to stop selling weapons to countries accused of war crimes
The Guardian, 15 January 2020
After it was revealed that the Australian government had approved the export of weapons to the Democratic Republic of Congo four times in 2018-19, ISHR underlined that the country and its companies have a duty to protect human rights and therefore should not be arming authoritarian regimes. Read the full story here. 

 

2019                  

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Letter: UN’s human rights work was never more critical
Financial Times, 12 December 2019
ISHR's Madeleine Sinclair responded to Andrew Gilmour's opinion piece on the ongoing onslaught of attacks against human rights, by highlighting that these attacks were not incidental. Read the full story here. (Full PDF version here)

22 人權組織發公開信　促聯合國譴責港府侵犯集會言論自由及警暴
Stand News 立場新聞，2019年11月25日
>國際人權服務社加入人權組織的聯合公開信促聯合國譴責港府侵犯集會言論自由及警暴。請點此以閲讀全文章。

Droits de l’homme : vers une loi pour protéger les défenseurs du secteur
Journal de Brazza, 25 novembre 2019
Au terme d’un atelier sur la protection juridique des défenseur.es des droits humains de la République du Congo, organisé par ISHR du 20 au 21 novembre à Brazzaville, a été évoquée la nécessité pour le pays de se conformer à la Déclaration des Nations unies de 1998 sur les défenseurs des droits de l’Homme, en élaborant et promulguant une loi pour les protéger. Lire l'article en entier ici. 

维吾尔人指北京监控 中美再因新疆议题过招
Deutsche Welle (Chinese) 德国之声(中文网)，2019年11月15日
12名联合国专家致函中国政府对新疆的所谓《反恐模式》提出忧虑，国际人权服务社的亚洲部专员Raphael Viana David 对此反应告诉德国之声，他认为联合国专家的表态不仅全面驳斥了中国“反恐模式”的核心理念，也与联合国大会近期对新疆议题采取更强硬外交手段的作法相呼应。他说：《有鉴于中国近期不断在海外推广他们的‘反恐模式’，我认为联合国专家这次的表态十分重要，因为它在根本上驳斥中国‘反恐模式’的核心理念，也同时呼应联合国大会目前在新疆议题上采取更强硬的外交手段》请点此以阅读全文章。

‘Professional cycling becoming associated with repression’: Human rights group condemns new race in Saudi Arabia
Cycling Weekly, 1 November 2019
ISHR's Phil Lynch has expressed dismay at the decision made by the Tour de France's organisers to launch a new stage race in Saudi Arabia in 2020. Read the full story here.

江天勇获释后续遭软禁妻批中国法律是“废纸”
Deutsche Welle (Chinese) 德国之声(中文网)，2019年10月25日
国际人权服务社的亚洲部专员Raphael Viana David关于对江天勇的镇压向德国之声表示中国过去几年逐渐开始将刑满获释的人从监狱转移至居所软禁，而他认为中国政府很可能会以相同作法来对待接下来陆续获释的维权律师。他说：《国际社会常常将焦点放在正在受虐的维权人士上，而遗忘了那些获释后仍被软禁于家中，人身自由受到限制的维权人士。江天勇的案例显示中国政府如何运用各种法律名义来持续打压已刑满获释的维权律师》。他还指出维权律师在中国维权运动中扮演极为重要的角色，因为律师将各个不同领域的维权团体串连起来，而中国政府打压维权律师，也是为了要能够斩断这些团体之间的链接性，并防止中国的维权运动未来继续扩大。他告诉德国之声：《打压维权律师不仅能弱化中国维权运动整体的影响力，也能防止他们未来的规模持续扩大。》请点此以阅读全文章。

Le Venezuela entre au Conseil des droits de l’homme de l’ONU
Le Monde, 18 octobre 2019
"Un coup de poing en plein visage pour les défenseurs du Venezuela" c'est ainsi qu'Eleanor Openshaw, co-directrice du bureau d'ISHR à New York, a qualifié l'élection du Venezuela au Conseil des droits de l'Homme. "Ils doivent se demander si la communauté internationale est réellement impliquée pour la promotion des droits au Venezuela" , a t-elle ajouté. Lire l'article en entier ici. 

Costa Rica Bids for the United Nations Human Rights Council
Journal of diplomacy, 12 October 2019
ISHR's Eleanor Openshaw welcomed Costa Rica's candidacy to the Human Rights Council as the other two candidates for Latin America so far were Venezuela and Brazil, and given the dire situation of Venezuela’s human rights record in the 2019 OHCHR report on Venezuela.  Read the full story here.

Dear U.S.: Appointing a torture supporter to lead human rights policy is a horrifying idea
The Beachwood Reporter, 11 October 2019
ISHR signed an NGO letter sent by the global SOS-Torture Network of the World Organization Against Torture, urging U.S. senators to reject Marshall Billingslea's confirmation as leader of the human rights policy of the United States, despite him having openly advocated for the use of torture Read the full story here.

Flight from Manus
The ABC, 30 September 2019
Testimony fom Abdul Aziz Muhamat, 2019 laureate of the Martin Ennals Awards which ISHR is a jury member of.​ Read the full story here.

«Berne aussi doit appeler Riyad à libérer Loujain»
Tribune de Genève, 27 septembre 2019
Invitée par ISHR à Genève, Lina al-Hathloul a appelé la communauté internationale à faire pression sur l'Arabie saoudite pour qu'elle relâche sa soeur Loujain Al-Hathloul, défenseure des droits des femmes emprisonnée depuis mai 2018. Lire l'article ici dans sa version réservée aux abonné.es, et en intégralité ici. 

À l’ONU, la France muette sur les droits de l’homme en Arabie saoudite
Middle East Eye, 27 septembre 2019
Le 23 septembre, plusieurs pays ont  signé une déclaration cointointe au Conseil des droits de l'Homme, dénonçant les violations des droits humains en Arabie saoudite. La plupart des grands pays européens l’ont signée, mais pas la France.​ Une situation que Salma Eé Hosseiny d'ISHR a publiquement déplorée. Lire l'article en entier ici.

China Wants the World to Stay Silent on Muslim Camps. It’s Succeeding.
New York Times, 25 September 2019
China was doing its best to limit backing at the Human Rights Council for an inspection of Xinjiang by the High Commissioner for human rights, ISHR shared a recording where a Chinese advocate expressed the following: “If you’re really serious about a fact-finding mission, please go check the southern border, Guantánamo, the Mediterranean to see if there have been fact-finding missions”.  Read the full story here.   请点此以阅读纽约时报文章的中文版。

Experts raise human rights violations by China
Devdiscourse, 18 September 2019
At a side event entitled "Rule is Law" or "Rule by Law" - Criminalisation of Dissent in China organised by ISHR organised on the margins of the Human Rights Counncil's 42nd session, experts denounced China's use of stringent laws, not to ensure justice but to maintain state power.​ Read the full story here.

Armenian Rep. Attends UN Amnesty International Event
The Armenian Mirror Spectator, 12 September 2019
On September 6, Armenia participated in an event organised by Amnesty International and ISHR where it presented what its priorities and commitments would be should the country be elected to the Human Rights Council. Read the full story here.

Int’l Day of the Disappeared: China must put a halt to secret detention and all forms of enforced disappearances​
Hong Kong Free Press, 30 August 2019
In a report presented at the September session of the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Working Group on Enforced Disappearances highlighted that from February to May alone, it had responded to 20 new cases of enforced disappearances in China. Recently, the group had had sent other forms of communications to the Chinese government, including a joint letter last August on the use of Residential Surveillance at a Designated Location (RSDL), following a submission from Safeguard Defenders, along with the International Service for Human Rights, Network for Chinese Human Rights Defenders, and the Rights Practice.​ Read the full story here.

Quand la Chine fait disparaître
Le Courrier, 30 août 2019
A l'occasion de la Journée internationale des victimes de disparition forcée (30 août), ISHR, en partenariat avec Safeguard Defenders, le Congrès Ouïghour mondial, the Tibet Network et China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, a lancé la campagne #StopDisappearances pour attirer l'attention du public et des autorités sur les disparitions forcées en Chine.Lire l'article ici. (version intégrale PDF ici) 

外交政策再现「战狼化」　华要求联国成员勿接触世维会主席
Radio Free Asia (RFA) 自由亚洲电台，2019年8月28日
国际人权服务社与一些机构协商如何应对对于维吾尔族活动人士的照会信。请点此以阅读全文章。

德语媒体：37对22，中国再下一局
Deutsche Welle (Chinese) 德国之声 (中文网)，2019年7月18日
有关25个国家致函联合国人权理事会对新疆再教育营表示严重关切，国际人权服务社的人权理事会事务负责人 Michael Ineichen 表示：《给理事会主席写这样的信有些不同寻常，尤其是信出自一群国家之手。'这是一种处理谁来领头这一敏感问题的颇有创意的做法》。他说，在人权理事会发表声明，需要有一个国家正式提交并在会议上宣读，越来越多的国家不愿在涉及中国的问题上挑这个头，因为他们担心会受到北京的惩罚。 请点此以阅读全文章。

How Nigeria uses the law to repress free speech: The case of journalist Jones Abiri
Global Voices, 17 July 2019
ISHR denounced Nigeria's Terrorism Act as a 'criminalization of dissent' because the government can stamp on free speech by labelling it 'hate speech, anti-government and anti-security information.' Read the full story here. 

"Peking macht alles richtig"
Neue Zürcher Zeitung, 17 Juli 2019
Nachdem 22 Länder in einem Brief Chinas Politik in Xinjiang kritisiert haben, loben 37 andere Staaten Pekings Politik. Was bedeutet der ungewöhnliche Briefwechsel im Uno-Menschenrechtsrat? Weiterlesen.

BTS Sparks Outrage After Announcing Concert in Saudi Arabia
Next Shark, 16 July 2019
Earlier this year, 36 out of 47 nations in the UN Human Rights Council rebuked Saudi Arabia for its aggressive crackdown on free expression, including every member of the European Union.  'It sends a strong signal that Saudi Arabia is not untouchable, and that council members should be held to a higher level of scrutiny' ISHR said. Read the full story here. 

China rebuked by 22 nations over Xinjiang repression
Times of Oman, 11 July 2019
In an unprecedented move, a cross-regional group of 22 States sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the President of the Human Rights Council, expressing concern over widespread surveillance, restrictions to freedom of religion and movement, and large-scale arbitrary detention of the Uyghurs and other minorities in Xinjiang. ISHR welcomed the letter saying 'it is significant and positive that 22 States have joined together to express concern about the widespread arbitrary detention, as well as the systematic racial and religious discrimination, against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims and minorities in Xinjiang.'. Read the full story here. 

Situation Still Dire for Rights Lawyers Four Years On
China Digital Times, 11 July 2019
China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group, Chinese Human Rights Defenders, and ISHR have recently submitted a joint analysis to U.N. human rights experts condemning legislative measures used to restrict the rights of lawyers in China. Read the full story here. 

«Les universités sont sous attaque au Venezuela»
Tribune de Genève, 4 juillet 2019
A l'occasion de sa venue à Genève pour une formation organisée par ISHR à l'attention de défenseur.es des droits humains (HRDAP), Ricardo Villalobos, professeur d'université au Venezuela, a pu s'entretenir avec La Tribune de Genève pour décrire les violations de droits humains dont sont victimes les universitaires dans le pays.  Lire l'article ici. 

«Les universités sont sous attaque au Venezuela»
24 Heures.ch, 4 juillet 2019
A l'occasion de sa venue à Genève pour une formation organisée par ISHR à l'attention de défenseur.es des droits humains (HRDAP), Ricardo Villalobos, professeur d'université au Vénézuela, a pu s'entretenir avec La Tribune de Genève pour décrire les violations de droits humains dont sont victimes les universitaires dans le pays.  Lire l'article ici. 

Xinjiang vice-governor defends centres for Uighurs at U.N. rights forum
Macau News Agency, 26 June 2019
Despite China's claims that its state-run detention camps are vocational centres, ISHR's Sarah Brooks made it clear that 'what is happening in Xinjiang is the wholesale destruction of a minority people and a culture, from the razing of religious sites to the separation of families, incentives for intermarriage, and the imprisonment of more than 350 academics and intellectuals.' Read the full story here.

Chinese official tells UN that Uighur camps are needed to combat 'sinister preachings'
Thomson Reuters, 25 June 2019
Despite China's claims that its state-run detention camps are vocational centres, ISHR's Sarah Brooks made it clear that 'what is happening in Xinjiang is the wholesale destruction of a minority people and a culture, from the razing of religious sites to the separation of families, incentives for intermarriage, and the imprisonment of more than 350 academics and intellectuals.' Read the full story here.

Xinjiang vice-governor defends centers for Uighurs at U.N. rights forum
Reuters, 25 June 2019
Despite China's claims that its state-run detention camps are vocational centres, ISHR's Sarah Brooks made it clear that 'what is happening in Xinjiang is the wholesale destruction of a minority people and a culture, from the razing of religious sites to the separation of families, incentives for intermarriage, and the imprisonment of more than 350 academics and intellectuals.' Read the full story here.

Senior UN counter terrorism official to visit China’s Xinjiang region
Global Village Space, 14 June 2019
ISHR expressed concern at UN counterterrorism official visiting Xinjiang, and stated that if a UN-designated team must visit Xinjiang and “pretend it is about counter-terrorism”, the delegation must include “experts” from the UN Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect. Read the full story here.

Swiss women strike nationwide for parity
Arête News, 14 June 2019
ISHR participated in the national Swiss Women's strike that took place on 14 June 2019. Read the full story here.

House OKs bill protecting human rights defenders
Inquirer.net, 3 June 2019
The Philippines' House of Representatives has unanimously approved on third and final reading a bill seeking to prevent human rights violations and abuses perpetrated against human rights defenders. The bill was explicitly based on the UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders and the Model National Law on the Recognition and Protection of Human Rights Defenders drafted by ISHR. Read the full story here.

Human rights defenders hold policy dialogue
Fritong Post, 31 May 2019
The Human Rights Defenders Network - Sierra Leone in collaboration with ISHR with support from Amnesty International organised a one-day policy dialogue on the protection of human rights defenders in the country. The purpose of the dialogue was to discuss the way forward for the implementation of a law that would guarantee the rights and freedoms of human rights defenders in Sierra Leone. Read the full story here.

Il y a un an, la foudre tombait sur les activistes féministes de Riyad
Tribune de Genève, 14 May 2019
Article d'opinion d'ISHR visant à attirer l'attention sur le 1er anniversaire de la vague d'arrestations ayant ciblé les militant.es féministes en Arabie saoudite. Lire l'article ici.

Martin Ennals Award Finalist Eren Keskin honoured
Scoop World, 11 May 2019
A ceremony was held in Turkey for Eren Keskin who is one of the finalists for the 2019 Martin Ennals Award. Ms Keskin continues to be subject to a travel ban imposed by the Turkish authorities, and so was unable to attend the award ceremony held on 13 February 2019 in Geneva. Read the full story here.

Population Control by Duterte
International Policy Digest, 11 May 2019
ISHR denounced the use by Philippines’s president Duterte of the 'war on drugs' as a justification to kill  tens of thousands of citizens for their alleged involvement in drug activities. 'This is particularly concerning for indigenous land and environmental defenders who are the most frequent victims – in 2015 alone there have been 25 recorded killings, with most victims belonging to indigenous communities.'  Read the full story here.

'Palace of Terror': Young woman's kidnapped sister is being 'beaten black and blue' in captivity
NZ Herald, 28 April 2019
In March, 36 States including all EU Member States, called for the release of women's rights activists in Saudi Arabia, among which Loujain Al-Hathloul, Aziza Al-Yousef, Eman Al-Nafjan, Nouf Abdelaziz, Hatoon Al-Fassi, Samar Badawi, Nassima Al-Sadah, Mohammed Al-Bajadi, Amal Al-Harbi and Shadan Al-Anezi. 'These women human rights defenders are detained only because they fought for their right to exist equally as men, in their country,' ISHR's  Salma El Hosseiny said. Read the full story here.

Rights Groups Urge Google Not to Bend to China Censors
Osburn Oracle 27 April 2019
ISHR co-signed a letter urging Google to abandon any plans to craft a censored version of its search engine that could pass muster with regulators in China. Read the full story here.

NGOs Blast US for Undermining Criminal Court
Inter Press Service, 8 April 2019
ISHR and several other human rights organisations have protested against the US decision to revoke the visa of Fatou Bensouda, Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. Read the full story here.

NGOs Blast US for Undermining Criminal Court
Radio Free Asia, 5 April 2019
ISHR co-signed an NGO letter denouncing the EU-China human rights dialogue  as 'a weak diplomatic tool' since 'Chinese authorities consistently fail to demonstrate concrete progress on human rights issues raised by the EU.' Read the full story here.

China acknowledges Latin American human rights pleas
Dialogo Chino, 29 March 2019
ISHR highlighted that despite accepting many UPR recommendations, in all China rejected around 20%, having deemed them 'politicised' and claimed some of the stronger recommendations are 'already implemented.' Read the full story here.

U.S. Threats Against International Criminal Court Under Fire
IDN InDepthNews, 24 March 2019
ISHR and several human rights NGOs have protested against the threat made by the US to penalise and impose economic sanctions against judges of the International Criminal Court – if they bring charges of war crimes against American troops in Afghanistan. Read the full story here.

U.N. experts rebuke U.S. 'threats', visa ban on ICC investigators
Reuters, 22 March 2019
ISHR and other several other human rights NGOs welcomed the condemnation made by Diego Garcia-Sayan, UN Special rapporteur on the independence of judges and lawyers, and Michel Forst, UN Special rapporteur on human rights defenders, following US visa restrictions on ICC personnel.  Read the full story here.

U.N. Experts Rebuke U.S. 'Threats', Visa Ban on ICC Investigators
U.S News, 22 March 2019
After UN human rights experts called on the US to stop its 'threats' and visa bans against the International Criminal Court (ICC), ISHR and other NGOs recalled that these visa restrictions could also 'have a chilling effect on ICC personnel (and) will set a dangerous precedent with serious implications on the overall fight for impunity.'  Read the full story here.

US denied visas to women trying to participate in UN women's conference: report
The Hill, 21 March 2019
ISHR reported that at least 41 women  have been denied visas from the US to attend the UN Committee on the Status of Women's session. Read the full story here.

The US Denied Visas To Women From Africa And The Middle East Hoping To Attend The UN's Women Conference
Buzzfeed, 20 March 2019
ISHR reported that at least 41 women  have been denied visas from the US to attend the UN Committee on the Status of Women's session and that this figure is said to be only 'the tip of the iceberg' and likely to increase. Read the full story here.

UN Human Rights Council: an answer to burning injustice?
Swissinfo, 19 March 2019
ISHR commented upon the first ever Human Rights Council's statement on Saudi Arabia under the following terms: 'Committed individuals and coalitions, prepared to put principle above political expediency, can successfully challenge authoritarianism and prejudice. And we will ultimately prevail. Success may not come immediately. There will be challenges and setbacks. But progress is achieved, and history is made by those who value justice, equality and freedom over discrimination, fear and oppression.'Read the full story here.

China defends Xinjiang centers for Muslims, but aims to 'downsize'
Reuters, 15 March 2019
ISHR denounced China’s claims that recommendations on basic freedoms have been accepted and already implemented as 'insidious.' Read the full story here.

Campuses not camps: China defends Xinjiang policies at UN
Mail Online, 15 March 2019
While China flatly rejected criticism of mass detainment of Muslim minorities in Xinjiang region during its UPR, ISHR pointed that the numerous pro-China NGOs speaking at the event was 'yet again an example of the investment they will make to buy silence and cover of abuse.' Read the full story here.

Experts Renew Call for Probe Into Death of Cao Shunli
China Digital Times, 15 March 2019
Following ISHR and other human rights NGOs' recommendations, the Human Rights Council's 40th session commemorated the 5th anniversary of Chinese human rights defender Cao Shunli's death in custody, with a moment of silence held prior to China's UPR examination. Read the full story here.

China tells U.S. to address ‘shocking gender discrimination’ and ‘immigration tragedy’ after Trump administration criticizes human rights abuses
Newsweek, 14 March 2019
'The deterioration in human rights in the country is a long-standing concern, but this is a tipping point. No country in the world should be able to get away with arbitrarily detaining a million of its own people,' ISHR said in a February statement about China. Read the full story here.

Today More Than Ever, Women's Rights Movements Need Our Support
Huffington Post UK, 8 March 2019
ISHR's joint statement to the Human Rights Council highlighting the State's duty to protect women human rights defenders was echoed by Womankind Worldwide in the press on International Women's Day. Read the full story here.

Refus suisse de signer une déclaration exhortant Riyad à libérer des activistes saoudiennes
Le Temps, 8 mars 2019
ISHR a jugé incompréhensible le refus de la Suisse de signer la déclaration faite par l'Islande auprps du Conseil des droits de l'Homme et co-signé par 36 Etats, appelant à la libération des femmes défenseures des droits humains en Arabie saoudite.  Lire l'article ici.

Aust, EU rebuke Saudis at UN rights forum
Cobram Courier, 8 March 2019
Three dozen countries, including all 28 EU members, called on Saudi Arabia on Thursday to release 10 activists and co-operate with a UN-led investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate. The countries called for the release of Loujain al-Hathloul, Eman al-Nafjan, Aziza al-Yousef, Nassima al-Sadah, Samar Badawi, Nouf Abdelaziz, Hatoon al-Fassi, Mohammed al-Bajadi, Amal al-Harbi and Shadan al-Anezi. UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to release women activists allegedly tortured in detention after authorities accused them of harming the country’s interests.  'These women human rights defenders are detained only because they fought for their right to exist equally as men, in their country.'  Read the full story here.

Saudi Arabia Rebuked for First Time by Fellow Members of U.N. Rights Council
New York Times, 7 March 2019
In a landmark joint statement at the Human Rights Council, 36 countries rebuked Saudi Arabia for its aggressive crackdown on free expression on Thursday in the United Nations’ top human rights body. This 'sends a strong signal that Saudi Arabia is not untouchable, and that council members should be held to a higher level of scrutiny,' said ISHR.  Read the full story here.

Canada, Europe, Australia issue 1st rebuke of Saudi Arabia at UN rights forum
CBC, 7 March 2019
Three dozen countries, including all 28 EU members, called on Saudi Arabia on Thursday to release 10 activists and co-operate with a UN-led investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate. The countries called for the release of Loujain al-Hathloul, Eman al-Nafjan, Aziza al-Yousef, Nassima al-Sadah, Samar Badawi, Nouf Abdelaziz, Hatoon al-Fassi, Mohammed al-Bajadi, Amal al-Harbi and Shadan al-Anezi. UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to release women activists allegedly tortured in detention after authorities accused them of harming the country’s interests.  'These women human rights defenders are detained only because they fought for their right to exist equally as men, in their country.'  Read the full story here.

Saudi Arabia rebuked at UN rights forum over jailings and Khashoggi probe
Business Day, 7 March 2019
Three dozen countries, including all 28 EU members, called on Saudi Arabia on Thursday to release 10 activists and co-operate with a UN-led investigation into the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at its Istanbul consulate. The countries called for the release of Loujain al-Hathloul, Eman al-Nafjan, Aziza al-Yousef, Nassima al-Sadah, Samar Badawi, Nouf Abdelaziz, Hatoon al-Fassi, Mohammed al-Bajadi, Amal al-Harbi and Shadan al-Anezi. UN human rights chief Michelle Bachelet called on Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to release women activists allegedly tortured in detention after authorities accused them of harming the country’s interests.  'These women human rights defenders are detained only because they fought for their right to exist equally as men, in their country' said ISHR.  Read the full story here.

Bachelet presses China for U.N. access to Xinjiang's Uighurs
Reuters, 6 March 2019
ISHR denounced the 'brutal and surgical suppression of fundamental freedoms of Uighurs and other ethnic minorities' by China, and called for a  'heightened response' to it.  Read the full story here.

U.N. Rights Chief, Denouncing ‘Gross Inequalities,’ Jabs at China and Israel
New York Times, 6 March 2019
The United Nations human rights chief Michelle Bachelet mentioned potential rights violations in China and Israel in an address on Wednesday that condemned a litany of 'gross inequalities' at play across the world. To which ISHR ssaid 'firm rebuke from the Chinese delegation' should be expected. 'The High Commissioner should be prepared to stand her ground on these demands.' Read the full story here.

Egypt: UN - Don't Let Egypt Undermine Expert's Role
All Africa, 5 March 2019
ISHR, along with 8 other human rights organisations, has signed a joint letter asking the Human Rights Council to ensure that Egypt is not allowed to seize a leading role in relation to the mandate of the United Nations' expert on human rights and counter-terrorism. Read the full story here.

Montagne d'or: Des sanctions internationales contre la France sont possibles
Terra Darwin, 14 février 2019
ISHR a rappelé que si la France ne répond pas au courrier que lui a adressé le CERD sur le projet Montagne d'Or en Guyane, l'ONU pourrait prendr eun certain nombre de mesures à son encontre. "Dans les cas les plus sérieux, le Comité a la possibilité de condamner le projet et de le faire par voie de presse (...) Ça peut avoir potentiellement des répercussions importantes notamment au niveau du Conseil des droits de l'homme..."  Lire l'article ici.

Asile piétiné à Manus
Le Courrier, 14 février 2019
A l'occasion de la remise du Prix Martin Ennals à Abdul Aziz Muhamat, militant pour les droits des demandeurs/ses d'asile en Australie, ISHR a dénoncé le traitement dans les camps de Manus et Nauru comme étant « un système qui vise à dissuader quiconque de venir en Australie par bateau pour y chercher protection. Il y parvient en créant des conditions qui sont pires, dans bien des cas, que la peur et la persécution auxquelles les demandeurs d’asile sont confrontés dans leurs pays.» Lire l'article ici. 

Australia refugee centre detainee wins top human rights award
BBC, 14 February 2019
ISHR, a Jury member at the Martin Ennals award for human rights defenders, said the decision to honour Mr Muhamat, an asylum-seekers' rights defender was 'significant'. We hope it will put pressure on Australia to halt the practice of offshore detention. Read the full story here.

Abdul Aziz Muhamat Selected as 2019 Martin Ennals Award for Human Rights Defenders Laureate 
Human Rights First, 13 February 2019
The Martin Ennals Award Jury, which ISHR is a member of,  today gave its 2019 Award for Human Rights Defenders to Abdul Aziz Muhamat, the Sudanese refugee advocate being held in detention on Manus Island Papua New Guinea. The award is given to human rights defenders who show deep commitment to their work at great personal risk and provides protection to the winner through increased international recognition. Read the full story here.

Refugee held at Australia’s offshore site wins rights prize
Journal du Cameroun, 13 February 2019
ISHR, a Jury member at the Martin Ennals award for human rights defenders, said the decision to honour Mr Muhamat, an asylum-seekers' rights defender was 'significant'. We hope it will put pressure on Australia to halt the practice of offshore detention. Read the full story here.

Australia to reopen Christmas Island detention centre after defeat on refugee policy
Cyprus Mail, 13 February 2019
ISHR welcomed the new Australian law that now gives doctors the right to transfer some 1,000 men and women from two Pacific detention centres if they need medical treatment. Yet ISHR also highlighted that Australia’s system has 'deliberately dehumanised' refugees and asylum seekers for decades. Read the full story here.

Australia to reopen Christmas Island detention centre after defeat on refugee policy
Reuters, 13 February 2019
ISHR welcomed the new Australian law that now gives doctors the right to transfer some 1,000 men and women from two Pacific detention centres if they need medical treatment. Yet ISHR also highlighted that Australia’s system has 'deliberately dehumanised' refugees and asylum seekers for decades. Read the full story here.

Turkey Calls On China To Close Camps For Muslims
Reuters, 4 February 2019
'The deterioration in human rights in the country is a long-standing concern, but this is a tipping point. No country in the world should be able to get away with arbitrarily detaining a million of its own people,' said ISHR in a call urging European and Muslim nations to take the lead in establishing a UN investigation into China’s detention and 'forced indoctrination' of Uighurs. Read the full story here.

Rights campaigners seek U.N. probe on China's Xinjiang camps
Reuters, 4 February 2019
ISHR, along with other human rights NGOs, called on the Human Rights Council to send an international fact-finding mission to Xinjiang, saying this would be 'a test of the credibility of the Human Rights Council.' Read the full story here.

Rights Groups Seek U.N. Inquiry Into China’s Mass Detention of Muslims
New York Times, 4 February 2019
ISHR participated in a press conference calling on the the UN to open an investigation into China’s mass detention of Muslims in the western region of Xinjiang. Read the full story here.

Why businesses are nothing without strong human rights
The European Sting, 17 January 2019
ISHR co-wrote an article recalling that civil society and business share the same space, and therefore should share an interest in defending what unites them‏. Read the full story here.

Mine de Montagne d'or : l'ONU épingle la France
Les Echos, 11 janvier 2019
A la suite d'une plainte déposée par l'ONAG, soutenue par ISHR, le comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination raciale a publié une lettre dans laquelle il s’inquiète pour les droits des populations autochtones menacées par le projet Montagne d'or.‏ Lire l'article ici.

Montagne d’or en Guyane : l’ONU « somme » la France d’écouter les populations autochtones
Le Monde, 11 janvier 2019
ISHR a salué le comnuniqué publié par le comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination raciale demandant à la France de prendre en compte l’opposition des peuples autochtones à ce projet de gigantesque mine d’or.‏ Lire l'article ici (version PDF intégrale ici) .

Guyane : l’ONU « somme » la France d’écouter les populations autochtones
Blogs Mediapart, 11 janvier 2019
ISHR a salué le comnuniqué publié par le comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination raciale demandant à la France de prendre en compte l’opposition des peuples autochtones à ce projet de gigantesque mine d’or.‏ Lire l'article ici

L'ONU s'inquiète du projet «Montagne d'or» en Guyane française
Le Figaro, 11 janvier 2019
ISHR a diffusé une la lettre adressée par le comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination raciale à la France,  dans laquelle il s’inquiète pour les droits des populations autochtones menacées par le projet Montagne d'or.‏ Lire l'article ici.

Montagne d’Or : un comité de l’ONU oublie le débat public organisé en Guyane
France Info, 11 janvier 2019
ISHR a diffusé une la lettre adressée par le comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination raciale à la France,  dans laquelle il s’inquiète pour les droits des populations autochtones menacées par le projet Montagne d'or.‏ Lire l'article ici.

Montagne d'or: inquiétude de l'ONU vis-à-vis du projet minier
La Première, 11 janvier 2019
Dans une lettre datée du 14 décembre, rendue publique par ISHR, et adressée à la mission française à l'ONU Genève, le comité exprime son inquiétude après avoir reçu des informations faisant état du "manque de consultation ainsi que de l'absence de consentement préalable, libre et informé des populations indigènes de Guyane française concernant le projet minier Montagne d'or".‏ Lire l'article ici.

«Montagne d'or»: Le projet minier en Guyane inquiète l'ONU
20 Minutes.fr, 11 janvier 2019
A la suite d'une plainte déposée par l'ONAG, soutenue par ISHR, le comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination raciale a publié une lettre dans laquelle il s’inquiète pour les droits des populations autochtones menacées par le projet Montagne d'or.‏ Lire l'article ici.

Montagne d’or en Guyane : l’ONU met en garde la France
Capital, 11 janvier 2019
A la suite d'une plainte déposée par l'ONAG, soutenue par ISHR, le comité pour l’élimination de la discrimination raciale a publié une lettre dans laquelle il s’inquiète pour les droits des populations autochtones menacées par le projet Montagne d'or.‏ Lire l'article ici.

China thinks it can arbitrarily detain anyone. It is time for change
The Guardian, 4 January 2019
In response to a a submission sent by ISHR and other human rights organisations,  experts from the Human Rights Council noted that residential surveillance at a designated location in China exposes its victims to torture and that exceptions in the law make it tantamount to an enforced disappearance, grave crimes under international law.‏ Read the full story here.

 

2018                   

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UN urged to act on Egypt's reprisals against citizens who met rapporteur
Middle East Eye, 12 December 2018
ISHR co-signed an NGO statement criticising the Egyptian government for restricting the work of UN Special Rapporteur on adequate housing Leilani Farha, who has recently condemned “reprisals” against people she met during her official country visit to Egypt in September and October.‏ Read the full story here.

Amid soaring violence, efforts to reinvigorate 'toothless' U.N. agreement on rights activists
Thomson Reuters Foundation News, 9 December 2018
ISHR drew attention to the need for more countries to adopt laws protecting human rights defenders.‏ Read the full story here.

Human Rights Defender Henri Tiphagne Selected to Win Civil Liberties Award
The Wire, 23 November 2018
Henri Tiphagne, a human rights defender whom ISHR interviewed in 2014, has been selected under the individuals category for the Nani A. Palkhiwala Award for Civil Liberties this year.‏ Read the full story here.

Une militante saoudienne risque la décapitation
Tribune de Genève, 20 November 2018
ISHR a exprimé sa profonde préoccupation quant à la possible exécution d'Israa Al-Ghomgham, qui pourrait devenir la première femme défenseure des droits humains condamnée à mort en Arabie saoudite. Lire l'article ici.

Missing NGO documents at China UN human rights review raise eyebrows
Radio Free Asia, 6 November 2018
Human rights experts at the United Nations began examining the ruling Chinese Communist Party's rights record on Tuesday, amid protests over "disappeared" submissions from civic groups that the U.N. body later restored with an apology. Read the full story here. Corrigendum: ISHR's submission was not missing. 

RSF and NGOs urge China to free ailing journalist held for past two years
The Tibet Post, 5 November 2018
ISHR co-signed a joint NGO letter led by Reporters Without Borders demanding the immediate release of Huang Qi, a Chinese journalist and human rights activist who is very ill and could die in detention. Read the full story here.

Riyad, champion de la répression
Le Courrier, 5 November 2018
ISHR a dénoncé la répression systématique de la liberté d’expression en Arabie Saoudite, la répression féroce visant les défenseur.es des droits humains, et notamment la menace d'exécution pesant sur Israa Al-Ghomgham. Lire l'article ici (version PDF ici). 

Bochra Bel Haj Hmida parmi les 150 personnalités participant au Sommet mondial des défenseurs des droits humains 2018
Huffington post Maghreb, 26 October 2018
ISHR a co-organisé le Sommet mondial des défenseurs des droits humains 2018, en collaboration avec Amnesty international, la Fédération internationale des droits de l’Homme (FIDH), l’Association pour les droits des femmes dans le développement, Front Line Defenders, l’Organisation mondiale contre la torture, Protect Defenders et Reporters sans frontières. Lire l'article ici. 

Latin America demands respect for rights, but will China listen?
Dialogo Chino, 25 October  2018
While the UPR is looking at China’s impact on human rights in the world, ISHR presented a joint report with the Mekong Legal Network (MLN) which found a violation at the Las Bambas copper mine in Peru, where communities were not consulted on changes to the original project. Read the full story here.

Unfortunately, It’s All Clean Slates for the Next Human Rights Council Vote
PassBlue, 8 October  2018
To improve membership at the Human Rights Council, the ISHR and Amnesty International, with the support of sympathetic governments, host hustings in New York and Geneva for candidates to present their platforms and others to test the platforms. Unfortunately, many candidates do not participate in the hustings. Read the full story here.

Victim shaming under the spotlight as Trump forced to order FBI to probe Brett Kavanaugh
The London Economic, 29 September 2018
ISHR co-signed a letter where 90 human rights organisations working for women's and girls' rights expressed their concern that survivors of sexual assault would be discouraged for coming forward if their allegations are trivialised in the media. Read the full story here.

ONU: magouilles en coulisses
L'Express, 29 September 2018
ISHR a dénoncé les tractations souvent la borieuses présidant à l'élaboration des résolutions au Conseil des droits de l'Homme, ainsi que la présence de plus en plus imposante des Gongos qui prolifèrent grâce à leurs appuis politiques. Plus d'informations ici.

La représentante mapuche auprès de l’ONU obtient un sursis
Tribune de Genève, 24 September 2018
ISHR a eu le plaisir d'annoncer la suspension de la procédure de renvoi de Flor Calfunao Paillalef, représentante du peuple Mapuche à l'ONU. Plus d'informations ici.

La représentante mapuche auprès de l’ONU obtient un sursis
Siglo XXI, 23 September 2018
ISHR a eu le plaisir d'annoncer la suspension de la procédure de renvoi de Flor Calfunao Paillalef, représentante du peuple Mapuche à l'ONU. Plus d'informations ici.

L'ONU obtient la suspension du renvoi de Flor Calfunao Paillalef
Blog "Regards Croisés", Tribune de Genève, 18 September 2018
ISHR a eu le plaisir d'annoncer la suspension de la procédure de renvoi de Flor Calfunao Paillalef, représentante du peuple Mapuche à l'ONU. Plus d'informations ici.

Répit pour Flor Calfunao
Le Courrier, 18 September 2018
ISHR a eu le plaisir d'annoncer la suspension de la procédure de renvoi de Flor Calfunao Paillalef, représentante du peuple Mapuche à l'ONU. Plus d'informations ici (télécharger la version PDF de l'article ici)

Human rights groups urge Google to drop plans for China 'censorship engine'
Taiwan News, 30 August 2018
ISHR co-signed a letter with a dozen of other prominent human rights groups to call on  Google to drop its plans to re-enter the Chinese market, arguing such a move is akin to participating in the human rights abuse of millions of Chinese internet users. Read the full story here.

Activists Ask Google: What’s Changed Since 2010?
China Digital Times, 30 August 2018
ISHR co-signed a letter with other prominent human rights organisations and activists to ask Google's CEO Sundar Pichai for assurances and transparency regarding the company’s plans. The letter followed leaked news that Google had been preparing search censorship mechanisms for a possible return to China. The signatories  highlighted concerns about censorship of search results and vulnerability of sensitive user data. Read the full story here.

World Leaders Opt For China’s Money Over The Rights Of 1 Million Jailed Muslims
Huffington Post, 18 August 2018
It is important for governments like those in Europe to speak out againts China policy and internment camps in Xinjiang, ISHR said. Read the full story here.

How The World Learned China Is Holding Over A Million Muslims In Internment Camps
Huffington Post, 15 August 2018
ISHR managed to get the UN firsthand information about human rights violations occuring in Xianjiang (and elsewhere). Information came directly from activists and caseworkers though ISHR made sure not to disclose names publicly to avoid putting defenders at risk. Read the full story here.

‘No Such Thing’: China Denies U.N. Reports of Uighur Detention Camps
New York Times, 13 August 2018
China's blanket denial of accusations from UN experts that it had detained more than a million ethnic Uighur Muslims in re-education camps is keeping to “a longstanding tradition of the Chinese government to give nonanswers to deeply important questions” ISHR said. Read the full story here.

United Nations must not abandon Haiti on cholera again, human rights organizations declare
Black Star News, 16 July 2018
ISHR along with several other human rights organisations urged United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to act decisively to protect victims’ right to an effective remedy for their injuries, and keep the promises of its December 2016 'New Approach to Cholera'. The organisations note that they 'are increasingly concerned that the UN is once again retreating from accountability' 18 months after the New Approach announcement. Read the full story here.

Freedom of religion endangered by new law in Laos
Missions Box, 10 July 2018
Recently, Voice of the Martyrs has joined the ranks of others who have called for the repeal the Laotian government’s Decree on Associations that was passed in late 2017. The decree effectively abrogates the constitution’s guarantee of religious freedom by placing extraordinarily strict government restrictions on non-profit organisations, including religious groups. Read the full story here.

China, Russia fail to curb activists' role at U.N. rights forum: campaigners
Reuters, 6 July 2018
China, Russia and Pakistan lost their bid on Friday to weaken a U.N. resolution upholding the crucial rule of activists in shedding an international spotlight on human rights violations, campaigners said. Read the full story here.

Cayetano crying ‘wolf!’ against UN Human Rights Council
Bulatlat, 29 June  2018
During the two-week intensive course for human rights defenders organised by ISHR, 13 human rights defenders working on a range of issues, learned and engaged in the UN’s rights mechanisms. Some of them raised the worsening plight of environmental defenders in the Philippines. Read the full story here.

US withdraws from UN Rights Council
Dawn, 21 June 2018
'Even under the current administration, US diplomatic efforts have been key to ensuring that the Council maintains its focus on human rights monitoring, reporting and accountability, and resisting the idea popular among some states that any discussion on human rights in a given country somehow violates sovereignty,' ISHR recalled. Read the full story here.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres regrets US decision to withdraw from body's Human Rights Council
Firstpost, 21 June 2018
ISHR deplored the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council as, while the Council is far from perfect, it makes a significant contribution to protecting human rights, providing justice to victims, and promoting accountability for perpetrators. Read the full story here.

“Would've 'Much Preferred' For US to Stay”: UN Chief Defends UNHRC
EBM News, 20 June 2018
US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council is 'deeply regrettable' says ISHR, as, though not perfect, the Council 'makes a significant contribution  to protecting human rights, providing justice to victims, and promoting accountability for perpetrators.' Read the full story here.

UN Chief backs UNHRC, says would have preferred US to remain in
DevDiscourse, 20 June 2018
ISHR deplored the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council as, while the Council is far from perfect, it makes a significant contribution to protecting human rights, providing justice to victims, and promoting accountability for perpetrators. Read the full story here.

US withdraws from UN Human Rights Council
Sri Lanka Guardian, 20 June 2018
While acknowledging that the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council hardly comes as a surprise, ISHR stressed that it needs to be understood as part and parcel of a significant and worrying regression on human rights generally, in the US and the world. Read the full story here.

“Would’ve ‘Much Preferred’ For US to Stay”: UN Chief Defends UNHRC
The Quint, 20 June 2018
ISHR  termed the US withdrawal from the Human Rights Council as "deeply regrettable". Read the full story here.

Why the US left the UN Human Rights Council – and why it matters
The Conversation, 20 June 2018
Along with several other NGOs, ISHR strongly opposed a draft resolution proposed by the US on reforms for the Human Rights Council. The NGOs Those NGOs wrote to 60 states set out concerns that opening a formal reform process would likely backfire, with States hostile to human rights using that process to undermine rather than strengthen the Human Rights Council. . Read the full story here.

At the U.N., China and Russia Score Win in War on Human Rights
Foreign Policy, 26 March 2018
ISHR and Amnesty International wrote a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres asking him to reconsider the decision to dismantle a key cell within his office charged with ensuring that the international body’s sprawling political and humanitarian agencies promote human rights. Read the full story here.

Politicized UN committee using 'repeated and arbitrary deferrals' to block NGOs, critics say
CBC News, 21 January 2018
ISHR along with other NGOs and voices within the United Nations are calling for the reform of the committee tasked with accrediting non-governmental organisations, saying it has become a political tool to block rather than bolster their participation. Read the full story here.

 

2017

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Protection des défenseurs des droits humains: le rôle des Institutions Nationales des Droits de l’Homme au cœur d’un atelier
Zere Infos, December 21, 2017
ISHR, along with the Coalition Ivoirienne des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CIDDH) and Côte d'Ivoire's national human rights commission, co-organised a regional consultation on legal protection of defenders in Africa. The consultation was held on 19 and 20 October and hailed Côte d'Ivoire for taking the lead in this by being the first country to adopt a national law protecting defenders.  Read the full story (in French) here.

Egyptian legal scholar wins top rights prize
The Sun Daily, October 11, 2017
Awarding Mohamed Zaree with the prestigious Martin Ennals prize was not only  a way to celebrate his achievements, but also a 'collective condemnation ... of the Egyptian authorities' approach to human rights,' said ISHR who was a member of the Jury.  Read the full story here.

Egyptian Activist Receives a Top Human Rights Award
New York Times, October 10, 2017
ISHR was honoured to be once again member of the Martin Ennals Jury who awards prominent human rights defenders from across the globe. This year's laureate is Egyptian lawyer and activist Mohamed Zaree, country director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies who was awarded for his contribution to promoting human rights amid the government’s escalating harassment and intimidation of activists. Read the full story here.

Concern mounts for detained Chinese activists
Bangkok Post, September 13, 2017
In a call made by human rights defenders to China voicing concern for the health and fate of detained lawyers and critics, ISHR highlighted the case of Jiang Tianyong, a human rights lawyer who disappeared last November and was held incommunicado for six months after a trial  that 'can be reasonably called neither fair nor impartial’. Read the full story here.

China’s War on Dissent
The Diplomat, August 20, 2017
At a press briefing hosted by ISHR in Geneva on 24 August,  a group of Chinese human rights defenders expressed their deep concern about the future of their detained and disappeared colleagues. They discussed various cases such as those of Gui Minhai, disappeared since 2015, or Liu Xiaobo, who died this Summer after spending years in detention. Read the full story here.

China Buying International Silence on Human Rights
China Digital Times, June 22, 2017
ISHR signed a statement along with ten other human rights groups on Monday to urge the European Union to cancel an upcoming dialogue between the Union and China as thos dialogue 'has steadily deteriorated into an exercise whose purpose is largely to secure another round of the dialogue, not to make meaningful change in China.' Read the full story here.

Council Discusses Côte d’Ivoire and The Democratic Republic of the Congo under Technical Assistance and Capacity Building
Military Technologies, June 20, 2017
ISHR participated in the interactive dialogue with the UN Independent Expert on the enhancement of capacity building and technical cooperation with Côte d’Ivoire. Read the full story here.

Amnesty, 6 others urge govt to ensure Sultana Kamal’s security
Dhaka Tribune, June 14, 2017
Several human rights organisations including ISHR have expressed concern over the recent threats made by Islamist group Hefazat-e-Islam to Sultana Kamal, a prominent lawyer and human rights defender in Bangladesh. Read the full story here.

Int’l rights orgs express concern over threats to Sultana Kamal
Prothom Alo, June 13, 2017
Along with several international human rights organisations, ISHR signed a letter calling upon the Bangladesh authorities to conduct 'credible investigation into threats of violence and ensure protection of [ human rights defender] Sultana Kamal'. Read the full story here.

Séminaire régional : la Côte d’Ivoire, un modèle en Afrique sur la protection juridique des défenseurs des droits humains
Afrique Infos, April 26, 2017
Press article in French by online newspaper Afrique Infos on the regional consultation organised by ISHR and other partners on 12-13 April on the development of protection laws for human rights defenders in Africa. Read the full story here.

Protection juridique des défenseurs des droits humains : la Côte d’Ivoire, un modèle en Afrique
Eburnews, April 26, 2017
Press article in French by Ivorian online newspaper Eburnews on the regional consultation organised by ISHR and other partners on 12-13 April on the development of protection laws for human rights defenders in Africa. Read the full story here.

Des experts réunis à Abidjan pour une reconnaissance et une protection juridique des défenseurs des droits humains en Afrique
NewsIvoire.net, April 13, 2017
Press article in French by Ivorian online newspaper NewsIvoire.net on the regional consultation organised by ISHR and other partners on 12-13 April on the development of protection laws for human rights defenders in Africa. Read the full story here.

Les DDH en conclave à Abidjan pour promouvoir la loi sur leur protection juridique en Afrique
Ecovisionafrik, April 10, 2017
Press article in French by Togolese online newspaper Ecovisionafrik on the regional consultation organised by ISHR and other partners on 12-13 April on the development of protection laws for human rights defenders in Africa. Read the full story here.

Mugabe’s commitment to rights questioned
NewsDay, March 20, 2017
ISHR raised the red flag over the impending introduction of a cyber law in Zimbabwe. 'We note that the Zimbabwean government is in the process of drafting a Cyber Crimes Bill which, if passed, will further curtail the right to freedom of expression and privacy; and will further impede the work of defenders,' ISHR said in a joint statement with the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights. Read the full story here.

International human rights groups call for rights upholding in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe Consolidated News, March 18, 2017
ISHR and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights expressed their concern about the continued targeting of human rights defenders by State actors.'Hundreds of defenders currently face prosecution following their arrest for exercising their rights to freedom of assembly and association between May and November 2016,' they recalled in joint statement delivered at the Human rights Council's 34th session. Read the full story here.

UN review exposed Zimbabwe’s poor human rights record
The Standard , March 18, 2017
The International Service for Human Rights and Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said in an oral statement to the Huan Rights Council that Zimbabwe Cybercrime Bill should not be enacted, as it would further infringe on freedom of expression and privacy. They urged the government to reconsider the recommendation to invite the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders. Read the full story here.

Marquette Democracy Project brings social activism from around the globe
Marquette Wire , March 7, 2017
Maryam Al-Khawaja, an ISHR Board member will be part of the Marquette Democracy Project, which brings international activists to Marquette University for brief visits during the school semester, during which they teach classes, give a public talk (open to the Milwaukee community), and tell their stories to student journalists and videographers. Read the full story here.

Australia's bid for UN Human Rights Council seat comes with 'stop the boats' baggage
The Sydney Morning Herald , February 28, 2017
As Australia launched a charm offensive in the United Nations corridors in Geneva, seeking to win a seat on the UN's Human Rights Council, ISHR recalls that the country's human rights record does not entirely count in its favour. Read the full story here.

L’ONU accusée de livrer à Pékin les noms d’opposants chinois
Le Temps, February 3, 2017
As the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is being accused of disclosing names of human rights defenders coming to the Human Rights Council to China, ISHR expresses its opinion on the issue. Read the full story here.

 

2016

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Gay rights supporters win 2nd victory at the United Nations
The Daily Mail Online, December 20, 2016
The close vote that rejected the African Group's proposal to halt the work of Independent Expert on SOGI shows how much work is needed to build bridges with many countries. Read the full story here.

Boris Johnson Urged To Defend UN’s First LGBT Rights Expert By Labour MP Sarah Champion
The Huffington Post, November 8, 2016
ISHR denounced the attempt made by some African countries to block the appointment of Vitit Muntarbhorn, a law professor who has been hired to look at ways to overcome violence and discrimination against people on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity. 'This move is harmful to non-violence and anti-discrimination efforts in relation to lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans people around the world' ISHR said. Read the full story here.

African nations attempt to suspend UN's LGBT rights monitor
The Guardian, November 7, 2016
ISHR shared its concern and denounced the lack of legal foundation of the attempt by African nations to call into question the legitimacy of the Human Rights Council resolution establishing the independent expert to protect against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Read the full story here.

ISHR launch 'Model National Law' in Gambia
Foroyaa, October 26, 2016
ISHR held a side event to officially launch its National Model Law on the recognition and protection of human rights defenders in Africa. The event was held in Banjul, the Gambia, on the margins of the 59th session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. Read the full story here.

China: One year since Gui Minhai’s abduction
China Worker Info, October 18, 2016
One year after his disappearance, Gui is still not formally charged with any crime. Neither Sweden’s representatives nor his daughter have been told where Gui is being held. ISHR expressed its view on the issue. Read the full story here.

Human rights mechanism workshop underway
The Standard, October 17, 2016
ISHR organised a training for African civil society members on international and regional human rights mechanisms. The training took place in Banjul, the Gambia, on 15 and 16 October and was organised in collaboration with the OHCHR and the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies. Read the full story here.

Kidnapped by China: Beijing's Battle Against Dissidents and Free Speech
The Diplomat, October 7, 2016
ISHR told that China’s ongoing crackdown on human rights is no longer limited to its national borders. 'China is exporting its paranoia and its poor practices – disappearances, arbitrary detention and censorship of dissent. This is a worrying sign for activists and organisations throughout Asia and beyond'.  Read the full story here.

ISHR's Phil Lynch on Sierra Leone's television 
EYV Television, October 6, 2016
ISHR's director Phil Lynch was invited on Sierra Leone's EYV Television on the occasion of a training and consultations with authorities and civil society on the development of a national law protecting human rights defenders. He shared his views on the leading role he thinks the country coud take in terms of strengthening of legal frameworks in English-speaking Africa. Watch here.

For daughter of missing Hong Kong bookseller, activism is not a choice
NPR, October 5, 2016
Multimedia news website NPR interviewed Angela Gui, daughter of disappeared bookseller Gui Minhai and a young hunan rights defender whom ISHR hosted for several days in Geneva last September. Read the full story here.

Gay men in Ivory Coast say they were attacked after showing support for Orlando victims
PBS, June 30, 2016
While six gay men in Ivory Coast say they were attacked after the U.S. embassy published a photo of them offering condolences to the 49 victims in the Orlando shooting, ISHR recalls that to date there are no legal protections against attacks that target the LGBT community in the country. ISHR also highlights that 'sexual minorities' report periodic harassment from security forces and the general population. Read the full story here.

Russian Diplomat Is Accused of Threatening Rights Activist on Twitter
New York Times, June 14, 2016
ISHR denounced a threatening message sent on Twitter by a Geneva-based Russian diplomat to a member of a human rights organisation that supports activists in Russia.  ISHR told the Human Rights Council on Tuesday that 'an online threat made by a state representative, albeit one hiding behind the cowardice of anonymity, is a threat against both the targeted individual (...) and the integrity of this important institution.' Read the full story here.

Govt of India "blocking" international Dalit network to freely associate with UN for eight long years: NGO letter
Counterview, May 26, 2016
ISHR was part of an NGO coalition who sent a letter calling on members of the  ECOSOC to reform the practice of the Committee of NGOs that prevents certain human rights organisations, including the International Dalit Solidarity Network (IDSN), from associating freely with the UN. ISHR noted that 'unfortunately, in too many instances the Committee is reflective of the growing restrictions on civil society at the very time restrictions at the national level make access to the UN all the more crucial.' Read the full story here.

Ilham Tohti, Uighur scholar jailed in China, is nominated for rights award
The New York Times, April 27, 2016
Ilham Tohti, a scholar and advocate for China’s Uighur ethnic minority, currently serving a life sentence for separatism in a Chinese prison, is one of three nominees for the prestigious annual Martin Ennals Award for human rights defenders. Phil Lynch, Director of ISHR, which is a jury member for the awards, said the three nominees had … ‘stood out as being particularly courageous, persistent, principled and innovative and at a very high level of risk’. Read the full story here.

Human Rights Council adopts historic resolution on protection of rights defenders
Sri Lanka Guardian, March 25, 2016
ISHR welcomed the adoption of a landmark resolution on the protection of human rights defenders working to promote economic, social and cultural rights by a resounding vote. ISHR also recognised the principled leadership of Norway in leading the development of this timely resolution. Read full story here.

ONG globales piden a Peña combatir descrédito de activistas
La Jordana, March 17, 2016
ISHR has joined six other non-governmental organisations in a joint letter to the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, calling for the public condemnation of the defamation and discrediting of civil society organizations and human rights defenders. Read full story here (article in Spanish).

Detrás de la noticia: Dignidad pisoteada
RT en español, March 11, 2016
In light of the murder of high-profile indigenous human rights defender Berta Cáceres in Honduras, ISHR's Ben Leather and ISHR trainee Andrea Cerami are interviewed as part of a Spanish language news documentary story on the attacks and murders of environmental activists and land rights defenders in Latin America and the world. Watch the programme on YouTube here (in Spanish).

Protestor laws could trap farmers
The Land, January 27, 2016
ISHR, as well as the UN, criticised the introduction of the Criminal Code Amendment (Prevention of Lawful Activity) Bill 2015 by Australia as there is fear that the Bill could result in criminalisation of lawful protests and the silencing of environmentalists and human rights defenders. Read the full story here.

Deported Swedish NGO worker concerned about detained colleagues in China
Voice of America, January 27, 2016
ISHR expressed its views on the case of Peter Dahlin, a Swedish human rights activist expelled from China last January for allegedly operating an unlicensed rights group in China to endanger the country’s national security. For ISHR, Dahlin’s case showcases “the long arm of China,” whose influence now appears to have extended beyond its borders. Read the full story here. 

 

2015

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Nigerian and Global Rights Groups urge Nigeria to drop "Social Media Bill"
Sahara Reporters, December 17, 2015
ISHR co-signed an open letter sent by about 20 Nigerian, African and international human rights groups to urge key officials in the Nigerian Senate, citing concerns about free expression and the criminalisation of free expression under the Frivolous Petitions Prohibition Bill. Read the full story here.

Nigeria, Iran, Parkistan, Syria, North Korea others vote against UN resolution to protect human rights defenders
The Biafra Herald, November 28, 2015
ISHR expressed extreme disappointment at the 14 votes that rejected the UN resolution on human rights defenders as well as at the "cowardly position of abstaining" taken by 40 other countries. This "amounts to a failure to recognise the important role of defenders and the need for their protection," they said. Read the full story here.

Rwanda votes for human rights resolution. Russia, China protest
K T Press, November 26, 2015
Rwanda has defied African solidarity, voting in favour of a historic UN resolution that guarantees protection for individuals and groups involved in human rights work. ISHR's Madeleine Sinclair says votes against the resolution and abstentions amount to a failure by States to recognise the important role of defenders and the need for their protection. Read the full story here. 

Australia heavily criticised at UN for asylum seeker stance
ABC Online, November 10, 2015
ISHR participated in the Universal Periodic Review of Australia during which the country was heavily criticised for its asylum seeker stance. According to ISHR, these policies will have an impact on Australia's bid to win a seat on the UN Human Rights Council from 2018. Read the full story here. 

Regional Indigenous activists slam corporate abuses at IACHR
TeleSUR, October 22, 2015
ISHR participated in the first hearing held by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) on the role of businesses in violations against Indigenous activists working on land, environmental and cultural rights. ISHR denounced 'clear collusions between businesses, the State and organised crime groups aimed at silencing defenders'. Read the full story here. 

Human rights groups support EU resolution condemning Angolan rights violations
Angola News Network, October 8, 2015
ISHR joined a group of  international human rights and press freedom organisations who signed a letter of support to a recent European Parliament resolution calling attention to the worsening human rights situation in Angola. Read the full story here. 

Syria: Disclose Whereabouts of Detained Freedom of Expression Advocate
The Syrian Observer, October 8, 2015
ISHR joined a call launched by 30 other organisations to the Syrian authorities to immediately reveal the whereabouts of Bassel Khartabil, a human rights award-winning software developer who is facing Military Field Court proceedings for his peaceful activities in support of freedom of expression.  Khartabil managed to inform his family on October 3 that security officers had ordered him to pack without indicating his destination. His family believe that he may have been transferred to the military-run Field Court inside the Military Police base in Qaboun. Read the full story here.

At U.N., China uses intimidation tactics to silence its critics
Reuters Investigates, October 6, 2015
Along with other civil society members, ISHR denounced China’s growing capacity to stifle opposition in the international arena at a time when it is cracking down on domestic dissent and preparing a new, restrictive law on foreign non-governmental organisations operating in China. Read the full story here. 

Concerns raised at UN Human Rights Council on LGBT rights
GayNZ, September 30, 2015
ISHR co-signed a joint statement during the 30th session of the UN Human Rights Council to highlight the lack of global progress in relation to the rights of LGBT people. Read the full story here. 

Australia urged to lead UN over human rights in Egypt
Video News, July 15, 2015
ISHR co-signed a letter urging Australia to take a leadership role in the forthcoming discussions on Egypt's human rights situation. The letter states that 'Australia’s geographical isolation from Egypt may be a helpful factor' where other countries have been unwilling to lead on the issue due to concerns about regional security and stability in the Middle East. Read the full story here. 

Human Rights Group, Activists Decry Accusations by Venezuela's Diosdado Cabello
Latin Post, July 8, 2015
ISHR issued a statement denouncing the "dangerous and irresponsible"accusations made by the Venezuelan Government in order to tarnish the reputation and question the legitimacy of several human rigths defenders who had testified before the UN Human Rights Council. Read the full story here. 

International community ‘must maintain fullest scrutiny of Sri Lanka’ say NGOs
Tamil Guardian, July 3, 2015
ISHR co-signed a letter calling on ambassadors of UN Human Rights Council Member States to maintain scrutiny of Sri Lanka on issues of justice and accountability regarding the mass atrocities committed during the final phase of Sri Lanka’s armed conflict. Read the full story here.

Maldives upset over Commonwealth move to discuss Nasheed
The New Indian Express, July 2, 2015
Commonwealth countries have called for the Maldives to be put on the agenda of the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, over the trial and sentencing of former president Mohamed Nasheed. The move follows condemnation, last month, by ISHR and others of the deteriorating democratic and human rights situation in the Maldives. Read the full story here.

Criticism mounts against Maldives' Supreme Court
Minivan News, June 20, 2015
ISHR reiterated that the Maldives' Supreme court ruling that bars the national human rights watchdog from communicating with foreign organisations was a clear breach of the country's membership of the UN Human Rights Council. Read the full story here.

Refugee policies give Australia's global reputation a beating
Sydney Morning Herald, June 20, 2015
As a a staggering 60 million people have been driven from their homes due to war and persecution this year, ISHR denounced Australia's disdain for the Refugee Convention and expressed concern on the morality and legality of Australia's refugee and asylum-seeker policy. Read the full story here.

International Service for Human Rights condemns SC verdict on HRCM
Raajje, June 19, 2015
ISHR declared that the Maldives Supreme Court's decision preventing the country’s independent national human rights institution from communicating with the UN without government authorisation is a clear breach of international law and flagrantly incompatible with the Maldives’ membership in the UN Human Rights Council. Read the full story here.

European countries say they are 'concerned' and 'surprised' at payment allegations
Sydney Morning Herald, June 17, 2015
In the midst of a growing asylum seeker crisis in Europe, there is surprise and concern at the allegation that the Australian government has paid people smugglers. ISHR Director, Phil Lynch, said there is increasing concern within the UN but and the wider diplomatic community as to Australia's refugee and asylum seeker policy. Read the full story here.

Revealed: How the UN told Abbott government to back off on Gillian Triggs
Sydney Morning Herald, June 9, 2015
Following an appeal from ISHR, the UN has formally urged the Australian government to stop attacking Gillian Triggs and pressuring her to consider stepping down as president of the Human Rights Commission. Read the full story here.

Two NGOs lost their UN consultative status for speaking against Pakistan’s atrocities in Balochistan
Balochwarna News, June 6, 2015
ISHR has expressed deep concern after the withdrawal of UN consultative status from two NGOs in retaliation for statements they made at the UN Human Rights Council. Read the full story here.

NGOs condemn Nauru's censorship
Radio New Zealand, May 27, 2015
A group of NGOs, including ISHR, has written a letter to the Nauru government calling on it to restore full access to internet services and repeal a new law which restricts freedom of expression. Read the full story here.

Nauru rights regressing as it faces UN Universal Periodic Review
ABC, February 27, 2015
Ahead of Nauru's appearance at its Universal Periodic Review before the United Nations later this year, ISHR and the Human Rights Law Centre call on the Nauru government to address a regression in the country's human rights situation. Listen to the full story here.

Australia called to repeal excessive restrictions on freedom of speech and expression and other rights
International Buisness Times, February 6, 2015
ISHR's new report urges Australia to repeal excessive limitiations on rights such as freedom of expression, association and peaceful assembly. Listen here.

Australia urged to remove restrictions on rights
SBS, February 5, 2015
ISHR has released a report urging Australia to remove excessive restrictions on the rights to freedom of expression, association and peaceful protests. Read the full story here.

China Proposal on NGOs raises transparency concerns
The New York Times, February 3, 2015
A proposal by China that would have withheld the names of countries that criticize NGOs seeking UN accreditation has drawn condemnation from diplomats and rights groups, citing concerns about transparency. The proposal was subsequently dropped. ISHR released a statement urging the accreditation committee to continue to be transparent in reports of its meetings. Read the full story here.

Sri Lanka: New Government must support human rights defenders and cooperate with the UN
The Sri Lankan Guardian, January 9, 2015
The new government in Sri Lanka must prevent, investigate and ensure accountability for attacks against journalists, lawyers and human rights defenders, ISHR has said. Read the full story here.

Sri Lanka's presidential race closely monitored by Australia
The Sydney Morning Herald, January 2, 2015
Australian officials are carefully watching Sri Lanka's presidential election, uneasy about how a change of government might affect joint action to stop asylum seekers' boats. ISHR's Phil Lynch said whatever the composition of the next Sri Lankan government, Australia should be guided by a commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Read the full story here.

 

2014

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UN officials call for U.S. to prosecute those responsible in CIA torture probe
News Observer, December 10, 2014
Following a damning US Senate report on the CIA's detention and interrogation programme, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has called for those responsible for torture to be held accountable. ISHR's Phil Lynch said as a matter of international law the US is not the only country that could bring charges; there is an obligation on member countries to the UN Convention against Torture to investigate all allegations of torture and to hold those either “directly or indirectly” involved accountable. Read the full story here.

Maryam al-Khawaja, the Inconvenient Activist
Foreign Policy, September 4, 2014
The arrest of Bahraini human rights activist Maryam al-Khawaja marks a new low point for the country’s autocracy. Maryam has been forbidden any contact with her lawyer for the entire seven days, which ISHR has declared to be 'in contravention of international human rights law.' Read the full story here.

Rights Groups Write To UN
The Sunday Leader, September 3, 2014
A group of six international human rights organisations, including ISHR, has called on the President and member states of the Human Rights Council as well as the government of Sri Lanka to take action to stop reprisals against those who cooperate with the UN. Read the full story here.

Activists sceptical on Lanka probe pledge
Gulf Times, September 2, 2014
The Sri Lankan government's claim that it will investigate the circumstances of people’s disappearances from its 26-year civil war has been received skeptically by activists and human rights organisations. ISHR says the government has failed to protect local activists from 'a clear pattern of systematic reprisals against human rights defenders and victims in Sri Lanka who seek to engage with the UN.' Read the full story here.

Rights groups ask Sri Lanka to stop intimidation
The New Indian Express, August 27, 2014
ISHR together with five other human rights organisations has written to the Sri Lankan government, and the President and member states of the Human Rights Council to put an end to intimidation and harrassment against those who cooperate with the UN. Read the full story here.         

Rights groups write to UN, Ravinatha
Colombo Gazette, August 26, 2014
A group of six international human rights organisations, including ISHR, has written a joint letter calling on the President and member states of the Human Rights Council, as well as the government of Sri Lanka, to take action to ensure no-one faces reprisals for cooperating with the UN. Read the full story here.      

Contentious Start For U.N. Process Toward Business And Human Rights Treaty
Mint Press News, July 10, 2014
The UN Human Rights Council voted to allow negotiations to begin toward a binding international treaty around transnational companies. ‘The development of a treaty on business and human rights is an important opportunity to strengthen corporate respect for human rights, the protection of human rights defenders, and access to justice for victims of corporate human rights violations,’ said Phil Lynch, ISHR Director. Read the full story here.

Interview with Phil Lynch
World Radio Switzerland, July 2, 2014
ISHR Director Phil Lynch spoke to Tony Johnson at World Radio Switzerland about his life in Geneva as an expat and his work at ISHR. Listen here.