BAMRO

January 2026: Human Rights Between State Obligations and Civil Society Responsibility

As January 2026 draws to a close, the international human rights community enters a crucial phase where state obligations intersect with the vital role of civil society organizations in monitoring, accountability, and defending human dignity.

January is a key preparatory period within the international human rights system. During this time, UN mechanisms review reports, finalize assessments, and set priorities that will shape human rights work throughout the year.

This period includes sessions of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), one of the most important mechanisms for evaluating states’ human rights records and their compliance with previous commitments, particularly regarding fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, women’s and children’s rights, and the protection of vulnerable groups.

Equally important are the shadow reports submitted by civil society organizations, which provide independent perspectives and help expose gaps between legal frameworks and realities on the ground.

Throughout January, human rights organizations are also engaged in drafting periodic reports, following up on international recommendations, documenting ongoing violations, and preparing for upcoming sessions of the Human Rights Council.

Despite the absence of major symbolic international days, pressing human rights challenges remain, including armed conflicts, shrinking civic space, digital rights violations, and the socio-economic pressures affecting basic human rights.

In this context, our organization continues to engage with international mechanisms, promote accountability, and advocate for human rights, firmly believing that human rights are not granted, but protected through awareness and sustained action.

January is not a month of silence, but a month of quiet and strategic work that lays the foundation for a full year of human rights advocacy.