UN General Assembly Third Committee puts resolution on human rights defenders to the test

On 25 November 2015, the UN General Assembly Third Committee adopted a resolution on human rights defenders, following intensive negotiations and attempts to weaken the text by way of numerous amendments. Regrettably, for the first time in history, the resolution was adopted not by consensus, but by a vote at the request of China and Russia. The adoption of the resolution by a majority of UN Member States is a clear recognition of the important role of human rights defenders. Amnesty International is calling on all UN Member States to vote in favour of the resolution.

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