United Nations
Human Rights Watch leverages our research on countries and issues addressed at the United Nations to inform UN officials and member states of key findings, influence policy on a wide range of discussions and push for urgent action on human rights crises. Consistent with the Human Rights up Front framework initiated by the UN Secretary-General, our mission is to ensure human rights considerations are at the heart of various debates, branches and mechanisms of the United Nations. We engage members of the General Assembly, the Security Council, the Human Rights Council, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and other key departments of the UN Secretariat, present information from independent investigations, and advocate for protection of civilians, accountability for past abuses, and preventive measures against future violations.
-
Europe/Central Asia“The floor was dirty with blood and mud .... It was difficult to breathe. If we put our head to the side, they beat us....” This is just one quote from dozens of testimonies by victims of police torture and ill-treatment Human Rights Watch recorded in Belarus in August, after mass protests erupted there over highly contested presidential elections and the authorities’ arrest of close to 7,000 people in just 4 days.Belarus: UN rights body should ensure accountability for rights abuses
September 18, 2020
-
Venezuela: Urgent Aid Needed to Combat Covid-19
Water Shortages in Hospitals Heighten Risk in Country, Region
-
Equatorial Guinea: UN Review Should Highlight Abuses
Critics Intimidated, Arbitrarily Detained, Beaten
-
-
Yemen: Key Concerns for Hodeida Battle
Poor Record of Coalition and Houthi Indiscriminate Attacks and Aid Restrictions
News
-
-
Belarus: UN rights body should ensure accountability for rights abuses
Urgent debate on the situation of human rights in Belarus
-
Liberia’s President Should Showcase Justice on International Stage
UN General Assembly an Opportunity to Advance War Crimes Court
-
Australia to Appear Before UN Rights Council in January
Universal Periodic Review Should Address Rights of Refugees, Indigenous Peoples
-
-
UN: On 75th Anniversary, Recommit to Human Rights
General Assembly Should Reject Attempts to Roll Back Freedoms, Protections
-
UN rights body should monitor abuses, ensure accountability in Philippines, Saudi Arabia, China
Item 2 General Debate on High Commissioner's Update - HRC45
-
UN: Release Saudi Dissidents, Activists
29 Countries Call for Accountability for Torture, Khashoggi Killing
-
-
Global Coalition urges UN to Address China’s Human Rights Abuses
More than 300 Organizations Call for International Mechanism
-
Global call for international human rights monitoring mechanisms on China
An open letter to: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet, UN Member States
-
