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.