The Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Tomás Ojea Quintana, will present his first report to the Human Rights Council since his appointment in August 2016. The report provides recommendations to protect human rights in the DPRK through a combination of engagement with the authorities and pursuit of accountability for gross human rights violations. The report further includes in annex the report of the Group of Independent Experts (Sara Hossain and Sonja Biserko) that was appointed to focus on issues of accountability for human rights violations in the DPRK. In this annexed report, the group identifies practical steps to contribute to a comprehensive and human-rights based approach to accountability, and to secure truth and justice for the victims of human rights violations in the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.
Mr. Tomás Ojea Quintana, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the DPRK Ms Sara Hossain, Independent Expert on Accountability in the DPRK Ms Sonja Biserko, Independent Expert on Accountability in the DPRK

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OHCHR

The UN Special Rapporteur on the right to food, Hilal Elver, will share the findings of her report on the impact of global pesticide use in agriculture on human rights. In the report, written in collaboration with Baskut Tuncak, UN Special Rapporteur on hazardous substances and wastes, the experts explore the negative consequences that pesticide practices have had on human health, the environment, and society, which are underreported and monitored in the shadow of a prevailing and narrow focus on “food security”.
Ms. Hilal Elver, Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Mr. Baskut Tuncak, Special Rapporteur on Hazardous Substances and Wastes

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OHCHR

Launch of "Women in parliament in 2016: The year in review" ahead of International Women´s Day on March 8.
Martin Chungong, IPU Secretary General

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UNOG

Human Rights and Counter Terrorism
Ben Emmerson, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism

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OHCHR

WHO releases two new reports – Inheriting a sustainable world: Atlas on children’s health and the environment and Don’t pollute my future! The impact of the environment on children’s health.
UNDER EMBARGO: 6 March 2017 00:01 GMT (London time) and 01:01 CET (Geneva time).  
Maria Neira, WHO Director, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. Annette Prüss-Ustün, Scientist, WHO Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health. Marie-Noel Brune Drisse, Technical Officer, Department of Public Health, Environmental and Social Determinants of Health.

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WHO

The Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing will discuss her report on “financialization of housing” and its impact on the right to housing and other related rights.
The report will be presented to the Human Rights Council on 1st March. The report examines structural changes that have occurred in recent years whereby massive amounts of global capital have been invested in housing as a commodity, as security for financial instruments that are traded on global markets, and as a means of accumulating wealth. It also assesses the effect of those historic changes on the enjoyment of the right to adequate housing and outlines an appropriate human rights framework for States to address them.
Ms. Leilani Farha, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing

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OHCHR

Launch of report of the Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic on its special inquiry into events in Aleppo based on its investigations of alleged human rights violations committed by all warring parties between 21 July 2016 and 22 December 2016. (References: HRC res. 31/17 and HRC res. S-25/1)
(The Commission is scheduled to present this report, along with a periodic update on the overall human rights situation in Syria, to the Human Rights Council on 14 March.)
Mr. Paulo Pinheiro, Chairperson, Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic Ms. Carla del Ponte, Member of the Independent Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic

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OHCHR

Launch of the Child Alert on the Central Mediterranean Migration Route, ‘A deadly route for children’ (focus on Libya, survey results and testimonies from children and young women

• Afshan Khan, UNICEF (new) Regional Director and Special Coordinator for the Refugee and Migrant Crisis in Europe

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UNICEF

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UNOG

Latest Data on prevalence of depression and the world health organization's "Depression: Let's talk" Campaign
In the lead-up to World Health Day on 7 April, which this year will focus on depression, WHO is releasing new global health estimates on depression.
Depression is an illness that affects people of all ages, from all walks of life, in all countries. It is the largest single contributor to global disability.
The number of people living with depression is increasing, with an increase of 18% between 2005 and 2015. Low levels of recognition and access to care for depression and anxiety lead to an estimated global economic loss of a trillion US dollars every year. Stigma associated with depression remains high.
During the briefing, Dr Dan Chisholm, one of the authors of the document, will provide details of the prevalence of depression, at global and regional levels and by sex and age. He will also provide details about the World Health Day campaign “Depression: let’s talk”, that was launched on World Mental Health Day 2016 and will last for one year.
Dr Dan Chisholm, Health Systems Adviser, Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, WHO

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WHO