Reaffirm our shared commitment to universal human rights by UN Human Rights Special Procedures mandate holders   Dec. 2025   UN experts call for safeguarding Special Procedures system as ‘indispensable pillar’ for human rights protection.   Amid rising authoritarianism, deepening polarisation, growing intolerance, and mounting pressures on the multilateral system, Human Rights Day offers a vital moment to reaffirm our shared commitment to universal human rights, UN experts said today.   They issued a joint statement renewing their unwavering dedication to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and emphasising the urgent need for a strong, independent, and properly resourced human rights system — one capable of safeguarding dignity, justice, and equality for all.   “Standing firmly by the promise of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, even as the multilateral order and the global human rights ecosystem face an unprecedented and existential threat, we recommit to upholding our independence as a human rights mechanism and responding to the calls and expectations of victims, survivors and all those in need.   We will continue to call for the full implementation of human rights standards and provide dedicated technical advice, grounding our work in the principles of international human rights law.   We endeavour to keep promoting positive change in people’s lives by discharging our prevention and protection mandates.   We will remain steadfast in our advocacy for stronger protection of human rights, the rule of law and democratic processes around the world. We will continue to proclaim inconvenient truths.   Over the decades, UN leaders have repeatedly affirmed the system’s significance and power. In 2006, Secretary-General Kofi Annan hailed Special Procedures as the “crown jewel” of the international human rights system. His successor, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, described Special Procedures experts as the Council’s indispensable “eyes and ears,” essential for exposing violations and insisted that they must be allowed to work unhindered.   Former High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour famously characterised Special Procedures as the UN’s frontline human rights defenders — the system’s early warning and protection mechanism in action.   This mechanism has grown into a dynamic system, with committed independent experts working on a vast range of thematic and country situations.   Special Procedures mandate holders have carried out their duties with courage, impartiality and unwavering dedication — often at great personal cost — at a time when many human rights voices are being intimidated into silence. Their impact has reverberated despite severely limited capacity and resources.   As the United Nations and the Human Rights Council undergo critical moments of reform and reflection, we emphasise that these processes must create more, not fewer spaces for dialogue. Human rights protection is indispensable for peace, security and sustainable development.   We call on Member States to resist all attempts to dilute or sideline the Human Rights Council’s Special Procedures system. States and all relevant actors must act now to protect and reinforce Special Procedures as an indispensable pillar through which human rights concerns are heard.   As independent voices, we are able to defend all human rights, everywhere, even in the face of personal attacks, threats and sanctions.   On Human Rights Day, we pledge to victims across the world that we will remain your voices and your advocates – even when it seems that the world has turned away.”   http://www.ohchr.org/en/statements-and-speeches/2025/12/un-experts-call-safeguarding-special-procedures-system http://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/statements/20251209-stm-sps-en.pdf http://ishr.ch/latest-updates/efficiency-must-not-mean-doing-less-civil-societys-call-to-safeguard-the-human-rights-council/ http://ishr.ch/latest-updates/40-states-warn-protect-un-human-rights-pillar-from-devastating-funding-cuts/ http://ishr.ch/latest-updates/joint-civil-society-statement-on-outcomes-of-the-unga-80-third-committee/ Visit the related web page
	Intelligent creatures don’t destroy their only home by Jane Goodall Institute, Conservation International   Oct. 2025   Dr. Jane Goodall, founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and UN Messenger of Peace, worked tirelessly throughout her life to raise awareness about threats to wildlife, promote conservation, and inspire a more harmonious, sustainable relationship between people, animals and the natural world. She passed away on October 1st, 2025.   Dr. Jane was known around the world for her study of wild chimpanzees in Gombe, Tanzania. Her discoveries “revolutionized science, and she was a tireless advocate for the protection and restoration of the natural world”.   “Dr. Goodall’s life and work not only made an indelible mark on our understanding of chimpanzees and other species, but also of humankind and the environments we all share,” the Jane Goodall Institute said. “She inspired curiosity, hope, and compassion in countless people around the world, and paved the way for many others—particularly young people who gave her hope for the future.”   In the latter part of her life she expanded her focus and became a global advocate for human rights, animal welfare, species and environmental protection, and many other crucial issues.   Jane was passionate about empowering young people to become involved in conservation and humanitarian projects and she led many educational initiatives. She was always guided by her staunch belief in the fundamental need to respect all forms of life on Earth.   In 1991, Jane founded Roots & Shoots, her global humanitarian and environmental program for young people of all ages. The initiative began with just 12 high school students in Dar es Salaam. Today, Roots & Shoots is active in over 75 countries.   Roots & Shoots members are empowered to become involved in hands-on programs to affect positive change for animals, the environment, and their local communities.   Jane Goodall was interviewed last week during the New York City Climate Week, and her message was clear and consistent.   “It seems these days everybody is so involved with technology that we forget that we’re not only part of the natural world, we’re an animal like all the others,” Goodall said. “We depend on nature for clean air, water, food, clothing — everything. And yet we’re destroying the planet”.   Jane Goodall said the problem is the pernicious idea that economic development should come before the environment. In reality, we’re on a planet with finite resources, and if we exhaust them, it could spell our own end. “Humans are not exempt from extinction”, she said.   While we’re the most “intellectual animals” to ever walk the planet, “we’re not intelligent,” said Goodall, who’s an expert in animal behavior. “Because intelligent creatures don’t destroy their only home.”   Ultimately, she said, it’s that intellect that gives us the best shot at saving ourselves and the planet. By living in greater harmony with the natural world, by embracing renewable energy and plant-based foods. We know what’s killing the planet: burning fossil fuels, industrial agriculture, unsustainable consumption.   “If we don’t change the way we do things, the way we develop economically, then it will be too late.”   Throughout her life and remarkable career, Jane urged us all to remember that “every single one of us makes a difference every day – it is up to us as to the kind of difference we make”.   Ruth Freeman, director of Science for Society at Research Ireland, wrote: “Such a loss for humanity. Her work showed us that traits we conveniently ascribe to humans only are widespread in other animals. That they deserve more respect and compassion, and we could use a little more humility.”   “Jane Goodall forever changed how people think about, interact with and care for the natural world,” said Daniela Raik, CEO of Conservation International. “Her passing is a profound loss for our movement and our planet. Her legacy lives on, not just through memories and accolades, but in the sense of belief she inspired in many: that we can reverse climate change, halt biodiversity loss and repair the natural world. She spent much of her life empowering that belief in young people. Now it’s on us to carry it forward.”   http://janegoodall.global/rememberingjane http://rootsandshoots.global/ http://www.conservation.org/blog/conservation-world-mourns-jane-goodall http://www.vox.com/climate/463459/jane-goodall-chimpanzee-final-message http://www.dw.com/en/environment-the-biggest-problem-is-greed-conservationist-jane-goodall-dead-at-91/a-49556942 http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.7004027 http://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2025/09/development-cannot-be-achieved-dying-planet-un-committee-issues-new-guidance http://www.ipbes.net/nexus/media-release http://zenodo.org/records/15673657 http://www.pik-potsdam.de/en/news/latest-news/ipbes-nexus-report-integrated-solutions-to-address-interconnected-global-crises http://www.carbonbrief.org/ipbes-nexus-report-five-takeaways-for-biodiversity-food-water-health-and-climate/ http://www.iied.org/new-biodiversity-reports-wake-call-for-action   http://www.nonhumanrights.org/blog/death-jane-goodall-2/ http://www.peta.org/news/remembering-jane-goodall/ http://mothrights.org/ http://blogs.law.columbia.edu/climatechange/2025/07/18/the-bloom-of-natures-rights-on-the-iacthrs-recognition-of-natures-legal-personality-in-ao-32-25/ http://www.garn.org/inter-american-court-of-human-rights-rights-of-nature/ http://www.earthlawcenter.org/blog-entries/2025/8/in-landmark-opinion-inter-american-court-of-human-rights-recognizes-rights-of-nature-for-the-first-time http://iucn.org/press-release/202507/iucn-welcomes-international-court-justices-historic-climate-change-advisory   http://wwf.panda.org/discover/our_focus/finance/?14763466/Financial-institutions-must-continue-delivering-net-zero http://www.conservation.org/blog/news-spotlight-deforestation-linked-to-dramatic-decline-in-amazon-rainfall http://news.climate.columbia.edu/2025/07/25/burned-amazon-forests-stay-hot-and-stressed-for-decades-finds-new-nasa-supported-study/ http://www.zsl.org/news-and-events/news/critical-forests-threatened-timber-traceability-gaps http://forestsandfinance.org/publications/bobc-2024-regulate-finance/ http://royalsociety.org/news-resources/projects/biodiversity/ http://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/guest-articles/icj-advisory-opinion-fossil-fuel-feuds-in-the-hague/ Visit the related web page
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