As the begins, voices are calling for justice, recognition, and real change through activism, art, and inclusive policy that centers the lived experiences of people of African descent worldwide.
OHCHR
In 2022, women and girls constituted less than 7% of the global prison population. Their number surged 60% since 2000, highlighting gender-based violence in detention.
Kabelo Motlhophe never thought he would move from a cleaning job to a leadership role in local government. After witnessing a civic education workshop while cleaning, he became intrigued and decided to join the training sessions by Activate! Change Drivers, a youth empowerment network. This led him to run for election as a ward councillor in Mamelodi, where he won in 2021. Motlhophe credits the training, especially on public participation rights, as key to his success. Activate! partners with UN Human Rights Regional Office for Southern Africa to promote youth engagement in civic life and participation in public affairs.
On the International Day for Women and Girls of African Descent, powerful voices highlight resilience, call out injustice, and demand meaningful, intersectional action.
Despite progress, millions of children lack birth certificates, but inclusive universal digital registration systems could bridge the gap and uphold their rights.
The comic strip from ,&²Ô²ú²õ±è;‘,’ tells the story of Elizabeth and her struggle due to her insecure migration status and the power of solidarity. Illustrated by Magda CastrÃa – Argentinian artist, feminist and activist – the comic is a reminder of how everyone can be part of demanding fairer systems and rules around migration. Elizabeth's community wanted to help her and others like her and demanded a fair migration system where everyone has a chance to live safely and securely.
On the, 17 May, communities empower us to stand together against hate and create a future where everyone can thrive, no matter who they are or whom they love.
Livia Sant’Anna Vaz, a Brazilian prosecutor of African descent, likens Brazil's prisons to the slave quarters of colonial times, highlighting the ongoing dehumanization of Black individuals within a predominantly white judicial system. According to systemic racism remains embedded in countries across the world, affecting each phase of criminal proceedings, from a Black person’s initial arrest, through prosecution, and trial, conviction, sentencing and on to implementation of sentence. This issue is under international scrutiny through the , which focuses on addressing systemic racism in policing and justice. Sant’Anna Vaz describes her experience as a Black woman in the justice system as one of exclusion, citing problems such as racial profiling, wrongful incarcerations, and inadequate legal support, which contribute to suffering and neglect in prisons.
Marcos Uzquiano Howard, a Bolivian park ranger and defender of the Amazon, has always held a deep respect for nature, learning to value biodiversity from his mother and grandmother. Despite his commitment to protecting the environment, he has faced harassment, threats, and persecution from institutional bodies like the National Service of Protected Areas (SERNAP) due to his opposition to illegal mining and deforestation. Although he won a ruling for his reinstatement, he still awaits protective measures to continue his work. In a significant development for environmental justice, Bolivia held its first public environmental hearing under the on April 23, 2025, focusing on the protection of the jaguar and environmental defenders like Uzquiano.
Launched in 2019, Photography 4 Humanity is a global initiative that uses powerful imagery to spotlight the fight for climate justice. As the photography platform of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Alliance—with UN Human Rights as Global Partner and Fotografiska as Presenting Partner—it highlights climate change as a critical human rights issue. This online exhibition, held during the 2025 , features winning images from the global contest. The photos illustrate the human impact of the climate crisis—climate displaced persons, at-risk communities, Indigenous peoples, and women disproportionately affected—while also celebrating resilience and the efforts of people working together for a sustainable future.
With calls for reparations for the historical legacies of enslavement and colonialism growing louder, this year's held a session titled "Africa and People of African Descent: United for reparatory justice in the age of artificial intelligenceâ€. Participants emphasised that the injustices of colonialism and systemic racism continue to affect African nations and people of African descent. They highlighted that reparative justice should include formal apologies, truth-telling processes and various forms of reparations, in order to foster reconciliation, justice, equality and solidarity in society.
The Darien jungle, located on the border between Panama and Colombia, is a dangerous and humid passage for migrants and asylum seekers heading towards North America. While the natural environment poses challenges, the greatest threats come from traffickers and criminals exploiting vulnerable individuals. Thousands, including children and those with disabilities, undertake the perilous journey, with significant increases in migrant crossings reported in recent years – from 8,594 in 2020 to a record 520,085 in 2023. However, this number dramatically decreased to only 2,831 between January and March 2025. To address the human rights violations migrants face, the , alongside Panama and Costa Rica's Ombudsman's Offices, developed a to gather data and respond effectively to these issues.
In Egypt’s Nile Delta and beyond, young activists are leading efforts to combat toxic waste and climate threats, demanding environmental justice and sustainable solutions to protect communities and human rights.
Manuel Calloquispe Flores, a journalist for 15 years, has extensively investigated illegal gold mining in La Pampa, Peru, where criminal gangs exploit the region's biodiversity. Despite mining being prohibited due to its environmental impact, the area faces severe deforestation and mercury pollution. Calloquispe raises awareness about disappearances linked to mining and advocates for affected families, transitioning from business studies to journalism upon witnessing the mining crisis. Despite facing multiple assaults and death threats, he continues to report on these issues. Since 2022, UN Human Rights Peru has supported him, documenting numerous attacks against journalists and ensuring his safety through protective measures. His work highlights the significant dangers journalists face when exposing crime and environmental issues.
In the 1970s, the Bajo Aguán region of became the focus of agrarian reform, with hundreds of families relocated to its fertile lands. However, this area has since become plagued by violence and corruption, leading to land dispossession and murders, as noted by Bardia Jebeli from the . Legislative changes in the 1990s facilitated land purchases by agro-industrial entrepreneurs, further exacerbating these issues. Rural poverty is , with many affected individuals being small-scale farmers facing systemic discrimination and human rights challenges. Despite this, communities in Bajo Aguán, led by women and youth, resist these adversities, viewing their land as a vital life project. International support, especially from UN Human Rights, has provided hope and solidarity, emphasizing the importance of their role as allies in the fight for justice and equity in land rights.