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“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 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, 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 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.

Fourteen-year-old Maya Sakr sits on a thin mattress in a Beirut school turned shelter, clutching the only thing she carried when bombs fell: a small make-up bag. As her family fled the strikes in the city’s southern suburbs, there was no time for anything else. Now they share a crowded classroom with other displaced families. Her father, weakened by cancer, struggles to access care; her young brother is frightened and confused. At night, echoes of explosions linger. The make-up bag holds more than brushes—it holds Maya’s dream of becoming a make-up artist, and a fragile sense of control in a life overturned by war. Despite it all, Maya says it helps her remember who she is—and who she hopes to become.

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 , echoing the call to put victims first and demand urgent global action as families worldwide continue to suffer without truth, justice or accountability.

Human rights are our compass in turbulent times, guiding us through uncertainty. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk launched the 2025 Human Rights Day campaign, warning that rising inequalities, conflicts, and climate crises threaten fundamental rights. Marking the UN Charter’s 80th anniversary, Türk urged solidarity and advocacy. The “” campaign seeks to reaffirm the enduring relevance of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, showing how rights like food, education, and freedom shape daily life. Share your essentials through our or on social media using the hashtag #OurEverydayRights.

Preventable maternal deaths remain a global injustice rooted in gender inequality and systemic failure, with advocates like Angela Nguku urging to ensure no woman dies while giving life.

The , an annual gathering organized by the facilitates the dialogue among civil society, Member States, and intergovernmental organizations around a yearly theme. The event promotes social cohesion based on the principles of social justice, equity, and solidarity, while addressing the challenges of globalization. In 2025, the Forum (Geneva, 30-31 October) focuses on how education contributes to the respect, promotion, protection, and fulfillment of all human rights for everyone. Follow the Social Forum live on .

Danielle Bell explains why documenting human rights in Ukraine’s conflict is crucial for justice and accountability amid ongoing violence.

From the Amazon to the Arctic, Joenia Wapichana and Sara Olsvig are demanding that the shift to sustainable energy respect , knowledge, and self-determination.

Global experts and formerly incarcerated individuals emphasize that successful reintegration after prison requires , but as a fundamental human right.

As the begins, voices are calling for justice, recognition, and real change through activism, art, and inclusive policy that centers the lived experiences of people of African descent worldwide.

In 2022, women and girls constituted less than 7% of the global prison population. Their number surged 60% since 2000, highlighting gender-based violence in detention.

Kabelo Motlhophe never thought he would move from a cleaning job to a leadership role in local government. After witnessing a civic education workshop while cleaning, he became intrigued and decided to join the training sessions by Activate! Change Drivers, a youth empowerment network. This led him to run for election as a ward councillor in Mamelodi, where he won in 2021. Motlhophe credits the training, especially on public participation rights, as key to his success. Activate! partners with UN Human Rights Regional Office for Southern Africa to promote youth engagement in civic life and participation in public affairs.

On the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent, powerful voices highlight resilience, call out injustice, and demand meaningful, intersectional action.