30 August 2013 -- This Day draws attention to the fate of individuals imprisoned at places and under poor conditions unknown to their relatives. The Day was inspired by the work of various organisations in Latin America that challenged disappearances under the military dictatorships in the region in the 1970s and 1980s. Learn more >>

23 August 2013 -- In August of 1791, slaves in Saint Domingue (present-day Haiti) launched an uprising that would lead to Haiti's independence, play a crucial role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade, and help promote the cause of human rights. This Day is intended to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples. Learn more >>

12 August 2013 -- The theme for this year's International Youth Day is "Youth Migration: Moving Development Forward". Young people make up a significant share of the global number of international migrants. While migration can often offer valuable opportunities and contribute to the development of communities and society at large, it can also pose risks and lead to unacceptable situations, including discrimination and exploitation. Learn more >>

25 March 2013 -- Established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2007, this Day commemorates the approximately 30 million victims of the transatlantic slave trade, one of human history's most shameful chapters. It was the largest long-distance forced migration of innocent people in history. Learn more >>

26 June 2013 -- On 26 June 1987, the Convention against Torture came into force. It was an important step in the much-needed process of globalising human rights and acknowledging that torture, and all forms of inhuman or degrading treatment, are absolutely and universally illegal. Rehabilitation is the theme for this year's campaign. Learn more >>

12 June 2013 -- The International Labour Organization (ILO) estimates that 215 million children are involved in child labour. This Day commemorates the landmark ILO Convention No. 182, which addresses the need for action to tackle the worst forms of child labour. While celebrating progress made, the Day highlights continuing challenges, such as the many children employed in domestic work. Learn more >>

18 December 2012 -- International Migrants Day, designated in 2000 by the UN General Assembly, commemorates the adoption of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families on 18 December 1990. The Day recognises the contributions of millions of immigrants worldwide and promotes respect for the rights of migrant workers and their families. Learn more >>

20 June 2013 -- There were 45.2 million forcibly displaced people worldwide at the end of 2012, including 15.4 million refugees. 81% of the world's refugees are in developing nations, as are the vast majority of internally displaced people. The purpose of World Refugee Day is to draw attention to the plight of refugees, celebrate their courage and resilience and renew commitment to solving refugee problems. Learn more >>

16 June 2013 -- This Day commemorates the sacrifices made by South African youth, who in 1976 protested the inferior quality of their education. Their peaceful demonstrations were met with violence from law enforcement. The Day also serves to highlight the barriers children continue to face across the continent, including harmful social and cultural practices such as female genital mutilation. Learn more >>

3 May 2013 -- Press freedom is considered to be a cornerstone of human rights and a guarantee of other freedoms. Citizens cannot effectively exercise their right to vote or take part in public decision-making if they do not have free access to information and ideas and are not able to freely express their views. Media freedom continues to be under threat worldwide: 90 journalists were killed in 2012. Learn more>>

14 January 2013 -- Two generations ago Dr. King challenged segregation and racial discrimination by leading marches and boycotts in the southern United States as a leader of the civil rights movement. He wrote that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere". In 1964 Dr. King became the youngest person to receive a Nobel Peace Prize for his work. Learn more >>

7 April 2013 -- The Rwandan genocide began on this date in 1994. In three months, Hutu extremists murdered approximately 800,000 Tutsi and moderate Hutus. As part of this Day, special observances and activities in memory of the genocide's victims are held worldwide. The Day also seeks to support the survivors of the genocide and strengthen the international community's efforts to truly make "never again" a reality. Learn more >> 

21 March 2013 -- On this day in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people peacefully demonstrating in the township of Sharpeville, South Africa against apartheid's "pass laws", which restricted the movements of black South Africans. This Day commemorates the victims of the massacre and serves as an opportunity for the international community to come together to combat racism and discrimination. Learn more >>

25 November 2012 -- Violence against women and girls is a problem of pandemic proportions. At least one in three women in the world has suffered from violence. November 25th was declared an International Day by the UN General Assembly in 1999, but its origins go back to 1960, when the three Mirabal sisters from the Dominican Republic were violently assassinated for their political activism. Learn more >>

8 March 2013 -- This year marks the 102nd observance of International Women's Day. For the women of the world, it is an occasion to review how far they have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. It is also an opportunity to unite, network and mobilise for meaningful change. This year the focus is on ending violence against women. Learn more >>

27 January 2013 -- The United Nations has designated 27 January as an annual International Day of commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust. On this date in 1945, Soviet Red Army troops liberated the Auschwitz-Birkenau death camp. Every member nation of the U.N. has an obligation to honor the memory of Holocaust victims and develop educational programs to help prevent future genocides. Learn more >>

10 December 2012 -- On this day in 1948, the United Nations adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which has become a universal standard for defending and promoting human rights. Every year on 10 December, Human Rights Day commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration and recognises that "All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights and fundamental freedoms". Learn more >>

20 February 2012 -- In 2007, the United Nations General Assembly established 20 February as the World Day of Social Justice. Governments are invited to commemorate the day by supporting the efforts of the international community to eradicate poverty, promote full employment and decent work, achieve gender equity and provide access to social well-being and justice for all. Learn more >>

3 December 2012 -- The annual observance of the Day aims to increase awareness and understanding of disability issues and trends, and to mobilise support for practical action at all levels. This year's theme of removing barriers to create an inclusive and accessible society is a reminder of how much needs to be done to ensure that people with disabilities can live an independent and active life. Learn more >>

20 November 2012 -- The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) is the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world. In fact, only two countries in the world — Somalia and the United States — have not yet given the CRC legal force, although both have signed it. Nevertheless, 70% of the approximately 11 million child deaths every year are attributable to six potentially preventable causes. Learn more >>

10 October 2012 -- The World Coalition Against the Death Penalty calls on citizens around the world to take action to end executions. 139 countries from all regions of the world have abolished the death penalty in law or in practice. The 10th World Day Against the Death Penalty focuses on the progress made in the past 10 years and on challenges ahead. Learn more >>

17 May 2013 -- On this day in 1990, the World Health Organization (WHO) removed homosexuality from their list of mental illnesses. Like racism, xenophobia or anti-semitism, homophobia is a form of discrimination. While the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international instruments prohibit discrimination, over 75 countries currently have legal provisions criminalising homosexuality. Learn more >>

21 September 2011 -- The International Day of Peace is generally observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence. The theme for this year’s International Day of Peace 2011 is Make Your Voice Heard. This year, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has requested that there will be a Minute of Silence at Noon in all time zones worldwide. Learn more >>

1 December 2010 -- An estimated 33.3 million people live with HIV/AIDS. 1 December marks the 22nd observance of World AIDS Day, which has become one of the most recognised international health days and a key opportunity to raise awareness, commemorate those who have died of HIV/AIDS, and celebrate victories such as increased access to treatment and prevention services. Learn more>>

1 March 2011 -- This day marks the occasion in 1847 when the state of Michigan became the first English-speaking territory in the world to abolish capital punishment. In 2009, the last year for which worldwide data is available, there were at least 714 known executions in 18 countries. China, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, and the United States were the five countries who carried out the most executions. Learn more >>

16 November 2010 -- Building tolerance requires access to education. Intolerance is often rooted in ignorance and fear: of the unknown, of the "other", such as other cultures, religions and nations. An International Day for Tolerance can serve as an annual occasion for tolerance education as well as for wider social and political reflection and debate on local and global problems of intolerance. Learn more >>

The eight Millennium Development Goals range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015. Learn more >>

Torture is a crime under international law. It is absolutely prohibited and cannot be justified under any circumstances. Learn more >>.

25 November 2007 -- Two years ago  the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa entered into force - a victory for women's rights in Africa. What progress has been made since then? Learn more >>

Study guides
Introductions to various human rights topics

Other international days

Upcoming courses and training workshops:

- Monitoring Women's Rights
- Safeguards against Torture and Ill-Treatment
- Election Observation
- Human Rights Litigation
- Corporate Social Responsibility
- Gender and Humanitarian Action
- Migration and Asylum (Foundation Course)
- Children's Rights (Foundation Course)
- Utilisation des TIC et des médias sociaux
- Education in Emergencies
- Derecho Internacional Humanitario
- Forced Eviction and Housing Rights
- Género y Derechos Humanos (Curso básico)
- Human Rights and Alternative Dispute Resolution
- The United Nations Human Rights System