Secretary-General’s Call to Action for Human Rights

Introduction

Disregard for human rights is widespread. We see egregious and systematic human rights violations; rampant impunity; rising hate speech, misogyny, exclusion and discrimination; social polarization and loss of civility; environmental degradation, and unequal access to resources and opportunity.

The Call to Action is the Secretary-General’s transformative vision for human rights. Underpinning the work of the entire UN system, human rights are essential to addressing the broad causes and impacts of all complex crises, and to building sustainable, safe, and peaceful societies.

7 THEMATIC AREAS FOR ACTION

Focusing on seven thematic areas, the Call to Action recognises human rights as central to our most pressing issues: the urgent achievement of sustainable development; the protection of all people regardless of their circumstances; tackling gender inequality once and for all; ensuring robust civic space for everybody; creating a healthy environment for future generations; ensuring a safe digital world; and finally – all pitching in together to make this a reality.

One:

Rights at the core of sustainable development

Two:

Rights in times of crisis

Three:

Gender equality and equal rights for women

Four:

Public participation and civic space

Five:

Rights of future generations, especially climate justice

Six:

Rights at the heart of collective action

Seven:

New frontiers of human rights

Rights at the core of sustainable development

When we take a human rights-based approach to development, the outcomes are more sustainable, powerful and effective. That’s why the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are underpinned by economic, civil, cultural, political and social rights, as well as the right to development.

Info Sheet on Sustainable Development and Human Rights

Rights in times of crisis

From its outset, the United Nations has been called upon to protect populations from diverse threats, both in times of war and times of peace. The best form of protection is to avert such threats before they cause any harm.

Info Sheet on Rights in Times of Crisis

Gender equality and equal rights for women

There is no such thing as human rights for all while half the global population faces violence, misogyny, exclusion, entrenched inequalities, economic disempowerment, and multiple forms of discrimination.

Info Sheet on Gender Equality and Equal Rights for Women

Public participation and civic space

Society is stronger and more resilient when everyone can play a meaningful role in political, economic and social life, including by accessing information, engaging in dialogue and expressing dissent. This includes the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

Info Sheet on Public Participation and Civic Space

Rights of future generations, especially climate justice

The climate emergency threatens the rights and dignity not only of millions of people worldwide but also of people not yet born. It threatens the very survival of some Member States, especially small island developing countries.

Info Sheet on Rights of Future Generations

Rights at the heart of collective action

Our world today is more connected than it has ever been, but our approach to problem-solving is increasingly fragmented, even as we face some of our greatest global challenges. Global problems cannot be solved without global solutions.

Info Sheet on Collective Action

New frontiers of human rights

Digital technologies provide new means to advocate for, defend and exercise our rights. But they equally allow for censorship, surveillance, intimidation, and other violations of fundamental rights.

Info Sheet on New Frontiers of Human Rights

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