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Human Rights
Families of people who were forcibly disappeared in Honduras have spent decades searching for their loved ones, demanding accountability, and preserving the memory of victims in the face of continued impunity.
At a time of growing division, conflict and uncertainty, the Global Alliance for Human Rights seeks to unite people around a shared vision of dignity, equality and justice for all. Convened by the UN Human Rights Office, the Alliance brings together governments, civil society, businesses, cities, academics, young people and communities to champion human rights in everyday life. As the world approaches the 80th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 2028, the Alliance aims to transform hope into action—sparking collaboration, inspiring solutions and building a future where human rights are upheld for everyone, everywhere. Watch the launch.
A world of colour should celebrate identity, not diminish it. The International Albinism Awareness Day (13 June) theme, “Proudly in my skin — celebrating all skin tones”, highlights how colour-based discrimination harms dignity, safety and mental wellbeing. Often dismissed as “harmless,” everyday behaviours—such as mockery or stereotypes—can leave lasting emotional scars, especially for children. The message affirms that discrimination based on colour denies equal rights and participation, and calls for challenging prejudice, uplifting voices of persons with albinism, and building inclusive societies.
Over 15 months, eight young people (12–19) from six countries worked to address gaps in the quality of child participation in global decision-making. Drawing on their experiences, surveys and a global consultation, they found children are often underrepresented and engagement is inconsistent. As the Children and Young People’s Task Group, they developed “Include Us!” standards to ensure meaningful participation before, during and after events, grounded in Article 12 of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The guidance offers practical steps for inclusive, safe and impactful engagement, urging organizers worldwide to adopt them.
“Growing up, I learned very early that the biggest challenge in my life was not my disability but the barriers… especially in the built environment,” says Esther Nagetey, a youth fellow at the International Disability Alliance from Ghana, reminding us that exclusion is often designed, not inevitable. A new UN Human Rights report shows that inaccessible housing and transport systems exclude millions of persons with disabilities from daily life. Although they make up about one in 15 people globally, they face mobility barriers up to 15 times greater, often due to unaffordable or unavailable services. Accessible infrastructure is not optional but a human right, enabling access to education, work and healthcare. Inclusive design is also cost-effective when built early and helps prevent institutionalization. The report urges governments to invest in barrier-free systems, uphold rights, and build communities that foster independence, dignity and full participation.
A new UN Human Rights report spotlights rising religious hatred and violence worldwide, impacting Christians, Jews, Muslims and other religious minorities both online and offline. Incidents range from discrimination and harassment to deadly attacks, while biased AI tools may deepen inequalities. Despite this, initiatives such as interfaith dialogue, global declarations and knowledge-sharing platforms show progress. The report urges governments to enforce anti-discrimination laws, leaders to reject divisive rhetoric, and educators to promote “inclusive faith literacy.” It also calls on tech companies to ensure their systems do not fuel hate, stressing collective action to uphold dignity and prevent violence.
Environmental degradation is driving a global human rights crisis by denying billions their rights to safe drinking water and sanitation. A UN Human Rights policy brief warns that climate change, pollution and ecosystem destruction are undermining States’ obligations to ensure water that is available, accessible, affordable, safe and acceptable for all. The impacts fall disproportionately on marginalized groups, including women and girls, children and Indigenous Peoples and people living in poverty. The crisis is compounded by underinvestment, structural discrimination and, increasingly, the deliberate targeting of water infrastructure in conflicts—threatening health, dignity, equality and even survival.
The Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (Geneva, 14–17 April) holds its fifth session under the theme of “Expanding the human rights of people of African descent under the Second International Decade for People of African Descent”. Despite global commitments, people of African descent still face systemic racism, exclusion and inequalities. This year’s session addresses reparatory justice, through the return of cultural artefacts; the human rights situation of youth of African descent; and the 25th anniversary of the Durban Declaration and Programme of Action. Follow the sessions on UN Web TV.
Half a century after armed agents stormed a Rio de Janeiro home and vanished Brazilian congressman Rubens Paiva without a trace, his daughters stepped into a Geneva hearing room carrying fifty‑five years of silence, grief and unanswered questions, transforming their family’s long‑suppressed trauma into a public appeal before the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances, echoing the campaign call to put victims first and demand urgent global action as families worldwide continue to suffer without truth, justice or accountability.
Thirty-two years after the Genocide against the Tutsi, the United Nations mourns the more than one million people murdered in just 100 days and honours the dignity that was stolen from the victims. On the International Day of Reflection on the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda (7 April), the UN pays tribute to the survivors while acknowledging the international community’s failure to act. But remembrance alone is not enough: we must reject hatred, strengthen our social fabric and institutions, and uphold the Genocide Convention. Follow the Memorial Ceremony at 10 A.M. New York time.
Since the United Nations General Assembly designated 2 April as World Autism Awareness Day in 2007, the UN has worked to advance the human rights and full inclusion of autistic people. Over the years, significant progress has been made, driven in large part by autistic advocates who have worked tirelessly to bring the lived experiences of autistic individuals to the forefront of global discussions. The 2026 observance reaffirms the dignity and equal worth of autistic people and calls for rejecting misinformation and limiting narratives to uphold their inherent rights.
She woke to a nightmare: AI-generated sexual images of her had spread online while she slept, reaching thousands within minutes. For many women and girls, this is now an everyday reality. Deepfakes are overwhelmingly weaponized against women, often pornographic and non-consensual. Once shared, they spread rapidly and are nearly impossible to remove, causing lasting harm. Accountability remains weak: laws lag, enforcement is inconsistent, and platforms respond slowly. Reporting can retraumatize survivors, while perpetrators go unpunished. Ending this abuse requires stronger laws, faster action by platforms, and better survivor support. Deepfake abuse is preventable and survivors are demanding justice.
Zero Discrimination Day (1 March) calls attention to the right of every person to live with dignity and equality. This year, UNAIDS spotlights the ongoing discrimination faced by people living with and at risk of HIV. It continues to block access to health services, violate human rights, and slow progress toward ending AIDS by 2030. New data from more than 30,000 people living with HIV in 25 countries show that stigma and discrimination remain widespread, putting lives and communities at risk. Together, we can build a world where everyone is respected, included, and free to live without fear or prejudice.
The high-level segment of the UN Human Rights Council opens today in Geneva, with dignitaries from more than 100 States addressing the Council. The meeting brings together world leaders to discuss human rights challenges. The Council’s 61st regular session (23 February–31 March 2026) will feature debates, interactive dialogues and panel discussions on issues such as disability rights, children’s rights, peace and sustainable development. Delegations will also review human rights situations in different countries, appoint new independent experts and adopt resolutions to guide future action.