Recent Engagement
Call for Accountability for Human Rights Violations in Eritrea at the UN Human Rights Council
Torture Rampant Where Freedom of Thought, Conscience, Religion or Belief is Denied
Preventing the Coerced Faith Conversions of Minority Girls in Pakistan
Jubilee Campaign strives to network with other non-governmental organizations, present accurate testimony, make recommendations, facilitate implementation of recommendations of the United Nations mechanisms, and otherwise within our spheres of influence support the programs and objectives of the United Nations Declarations and Covenants
General Assembly
The General Assembly (UNGA) is one of the six main branches of the United Nations, serving as the primary dialogic and policymaking body in which all 193 member states have equal representation. It functions as a forum for deliberation on international issues covered by the UN Charter, including sustainable development, peace and security, and international law. The General Assembly convenes annually during the months of September and December, holding high-level discussions in New York City focusing on pressing global issues for which it subsequently adopts resolutions. Non-governmental organizations like Jubilee Campaign participate in the General Assembly by participating in discussions, providing expertise, and raising specific issues. In addition to attending sessions, NGOs can host side events with partner organizations and even work closely with member states to influence policy and decision-making processes.
2020
Human Rights Council
The United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) is an intergovernmental body comprising 47 member states elected by the UN General Assembly for staggered three-year terms on a regional group basis. The Council addresses human rights violations – notably infringement upon rights to freedom of expression, opinion, religious belief, association, assembly, and the rights of minorities – and makes recommendations on addressing such transgressions through mechanisms such as the Universal Periodic Review, special procedures, and advisory committees. Non-governmental organizations such as Jubilee Campaign can participate in the Council’s work by obtaining consultative status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which allows them to submit written statements, make oral interventions during sessions, and organize side events to raise awareness and advocate for specific human rights issues.
Session 57 – September/October 2024
Session 56 – June/July 2024
Session 55 – February/April 2024
Session 54 – September/October 2023
Session 53 – June/July 2023
Session 52 – February/April 2023
Session 51 – September/October 2022
Session 50 – June/July 2022
Session 49 – February/April 2022
Session 48 – September/October 2021
Session 47 – June/July 2021
Session 46 – February/March 2021
Session 45 – September/October 2020
Session 31 – February/March 2016
Oral Statements
Human Rights Committee
The Human Rights Committee, not to be confused with the Human Rights Council, is a body of 18 independent experts tasked with monitoring the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by UN member states which have ratified it. In addition to submitting reports periodically, states are obligated to provide reports at any time upon the Committee’s request. States parties’ reports are reviewed by the Committee, as well as contributions by NGOs, and complaints submitted by private individuals who have had their rights violated by signatory nations of the Convention. Participation by NGOs such as Jubilee Campaign is imperative, as our supplementary reports raise disproportionately underrepresented issues such as freedom of religion, highlight particular legal cases, and advocate for minorities. Following extensive evaluation of the reports which it receives from state and non-state parties, the Committee publishes its concluding observations and makes recommendations on how the appraised country can more equitably protect civil and political rights.
Session 142 – October/November 2024
Session 139 – October/November 2023
Session 138 – June/July 2023
Session 136 – October/November 2022
Session 133 – October 2021
Session 131 – March 2021
Session 129 – June 2020
Universal Periodic Review
The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) is a mechanism of the Human Rights Council that involves a comprehensive review of the human rights records of all 193 UN member states. Due to the intensive evaluation process and the vast number of UN member states, each nation is reviewed only every 4.5 years, and within the 16 years since the inauguration of the UPR in 2008, each country has been assessed just three times. NGOs play a crucial role in the UPR process by submitting stakeholder reports that provide additional information and perspectives on a state’s human rights performance. This supplementary input is even more valuable in cases where a reviewed UN member states does not fully comply with its obligations, either by delaying to submit national reports for years on end or providing incomplete reports. Following a UN member state’s review cycle, the UPR Working Group publishes an outcome report listing recommendations to the analyzed nation. The UPR is unique in that it allows each Human Rights Council member state – all 47 of which are part of the UPR Working Group – to directly address its counterparts and provide highly specific recommendations.
Session 49 – (Apr/May 2025)
Session 48 – (Jan/Feb 2025)
Session 47 – (Oct/Nov 2024)
Session 46 – (Apr/May 2024)
Session 45 – (Jan/Feb 2024)
Session 44 – (November 2023)
Session 43 – (May 2023)
Session 42 – (February 2023)
Session 41 – (November 2022)
Session 40 – (February 2022)
Session 39 – (November 2021)
Session 37 – (January 2021)
Session 36 – (November 2020)
Session 35 – (January 2020)
Session 34 – (November 2019)
Session 31 – (January 2018)
Session 28 – (November 2017)
Session 27 – (May 2017)
Commission on the Status of Women
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is a mechanism of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women. Established in 1946, the Commission meets annually in New York City to evaluate progress and setbacks on gender equality, gender-based violence and discrimination, and the gendered dimensions of poverty, reproductive rights, family planning, and digital citizenship. NGOs play a significant role in the CSW’s work, especially during the yearly sessions in New York, by hosting side and parallel events which offer a stage to women leaders from across the world to share their experiences and grievances. NGOs work collaboratively with member states and UN entities to influence the Commission’s outcomes and ensure that women’s voices are heard in global policy-making.
Session 69 – March 2025
Session 68 – March 2024
Session 67 – March 2023
Session 66 – March 2022
Session 65 – March 2021
Session 64 – March 2020 | Beijing+25
Special Procedures and Working Groups
UN special procedures are independent human rights experts or groups of experts appointed by the Human Rights Council to monitor, advise, and publicly report on human rights situations in specific countries or on major thematic issues worldwide. These special procedures include special rapporteurs, special representatives, and working groups. Their main activities include conducting routine country visits, cooperating with stakeholders, and submitting communications to UN member states regarding specific issues such as prisoners of conscience and problematic implementation of laws which contravene human rights. Jubilee Campaign maintains close relationships with various special procedures such as those listed to the right.
- Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression
- Special Rapporteur on torture
- Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and association
- Special Rapporteur on minority issues
- Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
- Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls
- Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights
- Working Group on arbitrary detention
- Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances