The 61st session of the United Nations Human Rights Council took place from 23 February to 31 March 2026 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The agenda featured a wide range of discussions focused on key human rights issues. IIMA and VIDES delivered two oral statements on item 3. In particular, during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) with the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the sale, sexual exploitation and sexual abuse of children (text and video), we welcomed the report’s analysis of progress achieved, emerging challenges, and future priorities to better protect children....

In response to the call for inputs launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for the preparation of a study on the impact of mental health challenges on the enjoyment of human rights by young people, in accordance with Human Rights Council resolution 57/30, IIMA and VIDES contributed with two complementary submissions. One contribution was prepared by the IIMA-VIDES Human Rights Office based on the results of a global online survey conducted within its youth network: a survey that gathered 1,778 responses from participants across...

In preparation for her thematic report to the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 62nd session in June 2026, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Education, Farida Shaheed, launched a global call for inputs on curriculum, pedagogy and assessment. The call invited contributions from States, United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, national human rights institutions, academics, educators, business actors, as well as civil society organizations, with the aim of gathering diverse perspectives on how education systems can better support the realization of the right to education. The...

We can’t lose sight of the fact that dignity and human rights are non-negotiable for they are “our everyday essentials”. In a time of uncertainty and insecurity, Human Rights Day, celebrated every 10 December, reaffirms the importance of reconnecting with human rights. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, underscores that “we must reconnect with human rights, remembering that they are about people – about their needs, wants and fears, as well as their hopes and aspirations”. The theme of the UN Human Rights Day 2025, Human Rights: our Everyday...

The UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 54/134, on 7 February 2000, officially designating November 25  as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities to raise awareness about this critical issue. Violence against women and girls is one of the most widespread and pervasive human rights violations in the world as almost one in three women has experienced physical or sexual violence by an intimate partner, a non-partner, or both, at least once in her lifetime (Source: UN). On 25...

The 50th session of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) took place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva from the 3rd to the 14th of November 2025. The UPR is a mechanism of the UN Human Rights Council where the human rights records of each State are reviewed every 4.5 years. The State under review presents the steps it has undertaken to enhance human rights in their country. Other states may offer recommendations aimed at fostering constructive dialogue and progress. Each review is guided by three key documents made public before...

“Education is a fundamental human right. It has long held a special place in the hearts and minds of people across the world, and for good reason. Throughout history, it has been a source of personal dignity and empowerment and a driving force for the advancement of social, economic, political, and cultural development. Yet today, beset by inequalities and struggling to adjust to the needs of the 21st century, education is in crisis. We must respond decisively, with conviction, imagination and in solidarity to transform education.”   António Guterres   The 2025 United Nations...

The Fifth Session of the Forum on Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, held at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on 13-14 October 2025, gathered States, experts, civil society organizations, and youth representatives under the theme “Democracy and climate change: focusing on solutions.” The Forum reaffirmed that the climate crisis is not only an environmental emergency but also a profound challenge to democracy, governance, and the protection of human rights. Opening the Forum, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk stressed that human rights are the foundation...

“We, the girls from rural areas, want to exercise our rights online permanently, efficiently and securely. Just as I have had the possibility thanks to this empowerment project, all girls need to be able to learn about secure platforms that help empower us and enable us to choose who we want to be in the future.” Luciana, 13 years old, from a rural farming community in Peru. Extract from her intervention in the Online Event “The Commitment of the Human Rights Council to Youth and Human Rights: Addressing the Digital Divide, Online...

The 60th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council took place from 8 September to 8 October 2025 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. The agenda featured a wide range of discussions focused on key human rights issues. IIMA and VIDES delivered two oral statements on item 3. In particular, during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) with the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the right to development (text and video), they welcomed the report on his visit to Honduras, expressing concern that 40% of children in the country are still out...