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February 23, 2026

Belarus: Renewal of Special Rapporteur and Group of Experts Vital to Address Unrelenting Human Rights Crisis

We, the undersigned organisations, write ahead of the 61st session of the UN Human Rights Council (“HRC” or “Council”) to urge your government to support the renewal and strengthening of the mandates of the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Belarus and the Group of Independent Experts on the Situation of Human Rights in Belarus (Group of Experts). The continuation of both of these distinct but complementary mandates is vital to address an unrelenting human rights crisis that persists inside the country.
February 19, 2026

Olympic Ban Raises Thorny Free Speech Issues

The disqualification of the Ukrainian skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych from the 2026 Winter Olympics shines a critical light on Rule 50 (2) of the Olympic Charter prohibiting political, racial, or religious “propaganda” at Olympic venues.
Ukraine’s Vladyslav Heraskevych wearing a helmet honoring Ukrainian athletes killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine during skeleton training at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Italy, February 9, 2026.
February 19, 2026

Six Years of Denied Justice in Hanau

Six years ago, on February 19, 2020, a far-right extremist shot and killed nine and injured six people predominantly of Muslim background in Hanau, Germany. The attack was motivated by racism and Islamophobia.
Demonstrators mark the anniversary of a far-right extremist attack on February 19, 2020 in Hanau, Germany, that killed nine persons of predominantly Muslim background, February 17, 2024.
February 19, 2026

Attacks on UN Expert on Crimes Against Palestinians

(Geneva, February 19, 2026) – On February 11, 2026, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot made comments criticizing the UN Human Rights Council-appointed special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967, Francesca Albanese, and calling for her resignation.
February 19, 2026

South Sudan: Extend UN Investigations, Stand Ready to Respond to Any Further Deterioration of the Human Rights Situation

Ahead of the UN Human Rights Council’s (hereafter “HRC” or “Council”) 61st regular session (23 February – 31 March 2026), we, the undersigned non-governmental organisations, write to urge your delegation to support the development and adoption of a strong resolution on the human rights situation in South Sudan. The resolution should extend the mandate of the UN Commission on Human Rights in South Sudan (CHRSS). It should also make clear that the Council stands ready to respond to any further deterioration of the human rights situation in the country, including on the basis of expert analyses of risk factors for atrocity crimes.