Knowledge centre
Human rights, made usable.
36 issues
Freedom of expression
The freedom to seek, receive and share information is central to public participation and accountability.
Read overview →Civic spaceFreedom of peaceful assembly
Peaceful assembly enables people to express shared concerns and take part in public life.
Read overview →Civic spaceFreedom of association
Independent associations, unions and civil-society groups are essential channels for collective action.
Read overview →Civic spaceHuman-rights defenders
People who promote rights must be able to work without intimidation, retaliation or violence.
Read overview →Civic spacePrivacy and surveillance
Digital systems can expand opportunity while creating serious risks for privacy, autonomy and dissent.
Read overview →Civic spaceAccess to information
Reliable public information supports participation, oversight and informed decision-making.
Read overview →JusticeArbitrary detention
No person should lose their liberty without a lawful basis, fair procedures and access to review.
Read overview →JusticeTorture and ill-treatment
The prohibition of torture is absolute and applies in all circumstances.
Read overview →JusticeEnforced disappearance
Secret detention and concealment place people outside the protection of law and cause continuing harm to families.
Read overview →JusticeFair trial and due process
Independent courts and fair procedures protect people against abuse and sustain confidence in justice.
Read overview →JusticeDeath penalty
International standards progressively restrict capital punishment and require the strongest safeguards where it remains.
Read overview →JusticeTransitional justice
Truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence can help societies address legacies of grave abuse.
Read overview →EqualityRacial discrimination
Racial discrimination denies equal dignity and can be embedded in institutions, policies and everyday practice.
Read overview →EqualityGender equality
Equal rights require the removal of discriminatory laws, practices and structural barriers.
Read overview →EqualitySexual orientation and gender identity
Every person is entitled to human rights without discrimination, including on grounds of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Read overview →EqualityRights of persons with disabilities
Accessibility, autonomy and full participation are rights, not matters of charity.
Read overview →EqualityIndigenous peoples
Indigenous peoples hold individual and collective rights connected to culture, lands, participation and self-determination.
Read overview →EqualityMinority rights
People belonging to national, ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities must be able to enjoy their culture and participate effectively.
Read overview →PeopleChildren's rights
Children are rights-holders entitled to protection, participation and conditions that support their development.
Read overview →PeopleRights of older persons
Age must not become a basis for exclusion, neglect or loss of autonomy.
Read overview →PeopleRights of migrants
Human rights apply to migrants regardless of status, while specific instruments address workers and families.
Read overview →PeopleRefugees and asylum
People fleeing persecution need access to protection, fair procedures and the principle of non-refoulement.
Read overview →PeopleStatelessness
Without a recognized nationality, people can face barriers to education, health care, work and participation.
Read overview →PeopleTrafficking in persons
Prevention and accountability must be paired with protection centred on the rights and agency of affected people.
Read overview →Economic and social rightsRight to health
Everyone is entitled to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health without discrimination.
Read overview →Economic and social rightsRight to education
Education should develop human potential and enable full participation in a free society.
Read overview →Economic and social rightsRight to adequate housing
Adequate housing includes security, affordability, habitability, accessibility and cultural adequacy.
Read overview →Economic and social rightsFood, water and sanitation
Access to adequate food, safe water and sanitation is indispensable to dignity and health.
Read overview →Economic and social rightsLabour rights
Just conditions, fair pay, safe work and freedom of association are core dimensions of dignity at work.
Read overview →Economic and social rightsPoverty and inequality
Poverty is both a cause and consequence of rights deprivations and demands accountable public policy.
Read overview →Planet and technologyClimate and environmental rights
Environmental harm affects life, health, housing, food, water and the rights of future generations.
Read overview →Planet and technologyBusiness and human rights
States and companies have distinct responsibilities to prevent, address and remedy business-related harm.
Read overview →Planet and technologyDigital rights and artificial intelligence
Human-rights safeguards should shape the design, deployment and oversight of digital technologies.
Read overview →Peace and securityConflict and civilian protection
Armed conflict creates acute risks for civilians and does not suspend the application of fundamental protections.
Read overview →Peace and securityPeacebuilding and prevention
Inclusive institutions, accountability and meaningful participation strengthen prevention and sustainable peace.
Read overview →Peace and securityHumanitarian access
People affected by crisis must be able to receive impartial relief consistent with humanitarian principles.
Read overview →Practical guides
From principle to responsible practice
Documenting human-rights concerns
Plan safe, accurate and consent-led collection of public-interest information.
→02Verifying sources and claims
Assess provenance, corroboration, context and uncertainty before publishing.
→03Trauma-informed interviewing
Prepare respectful interviews that reduce avoidable harm and preserve agency.
→04Digital safety for contributors
Reduce common account, device, communication and metadata risks.
→05Using imagery responsibly
Apply consent, dignity, licensing and contextual accuracy to visual material.
→06Engaging with UN human-rights mechanisms
Understand the distinct roles of treaty bodies, the UPR and Special Procedures.
→07Writing a clear human-rights submission
Structure evidence, legal analysis, recommendations and source notes.
→08Protecting personal data
Collect less, set retention limits and separate public from sensitive information.
→09Creating accessible publications
Make documents and web content perceivable, understandable and usable.
→10Building ethical partnerships
Define roles, due diligence, consent, accountability and exit arrangements.
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