QUNO’s Human Impacts of Climate Change Programme recently compiled an official submission to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders profiling stories of Quaker Environmental Human Rights Defenders. Gathering testimony from Quaker individuals and organizations in Europe and Africa, the submission upholds actions of conscience that Quakers have engaged in as guided by their faith and commitment to the values of stewardship, sustainability, and integrity.
We mark International Conscientious Objector’s Day on 15 May 2025 in a context of increasing militarisation. Against this backdrop QUNO continues to work to uphold the rights of all whose conscience calls them to refuse military service.
The fourth session of the Permanent Forum on People of African Descent (PFPAD) took place from 14 April through 17 April at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. QUNO NY, representing Friends World Committee for Consultation (FWCC), submitted a statement to the Forum’s Secretariat sharing the perspective of Quakers worldwide on the thematic discussion on Systemic Racism and Policymaking: A human rights-based approach.
QUNO Geneva’s Peace and Disarmament programme delivered a statement during the General Debate on Agenda Item 3 at the 58th session of the Human Rights Council to welcome OHCHR’s most recent report on the negative human rights impacts of arms transfers (A/HRC/58/41). The statement was delivered by Yvette Issar, Peace and Disarmament Programme Consultant.