Upholding human rights in a hostile climate

UN Human Rights chief, Michelle Bachelet, highlighted the results of her office in 2018 in a report that includes a new format and a number of new features.

Compared to its 2017 edition, the UN Human Rights 2018 report has a new format aligned with the Office’s 2018-2021 results framework. The presentation of UN Human Rights’ results is now linked with the Sustainable Development Goals and contains a selection of in-depth highlights of results. Further, regular budget and extra budgetary funding are consolidated and funding gaps highlighted. Finally, data visualization, infographics and human-interest stories put an illustrative spotlight on the Office’s impact.

"The report outlines our efforts to assist States to uphold all human rights in the context of eroding multilateralism and a hostile climate for human rights," Michelle Bachelet said during the launch of the report in Geneva, Switzerland, the headquarter city of UN Human Rights.

Over the past year, UN Human Rights has facilitated 32 new ratifications or accessions to the 10 core human rights treaties. The Office’s technical cooperation with States has also increased: it strengthened capacities in countries like Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia to secure human rights-based border governance and protect the rights of migrants; and provided guidance to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan on elaborating their national human rights action plan and strategy creating linkages between human rights and the implementation of the SDGs.

UN Human Rights also joined forces with the African Union to increase compliance with human rights and humanitarian law to provide greater protection for civilians in conflict. The Office also significantly strengthened human rights mainstreaming in UN Country Teams by increasing the number of Human Rights Advisers to 32.

Further, through its yearlong campaign commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, UN Human Rights reached 600 million people.

UN Human Rights, however, continues to face numerous challenges. "More than ever, in this time of turbulence and profound anxiety, we ask you to support the work we are doing – with resources and other forms of practical assistance, and with your advocacy and political support," she said.

14 June 2019