If you want to work on a common initiative related to one or several topics listed below, please contact us at community@prisonlitigation.org
CONTENTS >> UNITED NATIONS / Council of Europe / EUROPEAN UNION
UNITED NATIONS
Independent Expert on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Call for input ■ Violence and discrimination
The Independent Expert is seeking submissions for a thematic report on violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer (LBQ) women, to be presented to the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
>> Submit by 15 February 2026. See details here.
HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL
61st session ■ 23 February – 2 April 2026
The draft programme of work includes interactive dialogues with the Special Rapporteur on torture, the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities, and the Special Rapporteur on human rights and counter-terrorism, as well as with the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy.
The session will also feature an annual debate on the rights of persons with disabilities, an interactive dialogue with the Commission of Inquiry on Ukraine, an interactive dialogue on the High Commissioner’s oral update on Ukraine, and an oral update on Georgia.
The Council will also adopt UPR conclusions in respect of Belarus, Andorra, Bulgaria and Croatia.
>> NGOs in consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) can be accredited to participate as observers. See details on the session here and on NGO participation here.
Special Rapporteur on Belarus
Call for input ■ Human rights in Belarus
The SR Belarus is seeking input for its 2026 on the situation of human rights in Belarus. The report will be presented at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
>> Submit by 26 February 2026. See details here.
Special Rapporteur on summary, extrajudicial or arbitrary executions
Call for input ■ Death penalty
The SR on summary executions is seeking input for its report on the death penalty, including on “conditions of detention for persons on death row and the cumulative suffering associated with prolonged confinement”. Contributions received will inform the SR report, to be presented at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council.
>> Submit by 28 February 2026. See details here.
Universal Periodic Review
54th session ■ January – February 2027
The UPR Working Group will review State reports submitted by Iceland, Lithuania, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.
>> Submit by 17 July 2026. See details here.
COUNCIL OF EUROPE
EUROPEAN COURT OF HUMAN RIGHTS
Meeting ■ NGOs and litigators
The ECtHR is organising a meeting bringing together, on the one hand, NGOs and litigators, and on the other hand, Judges and members of the Registry, to discuss practical issues related to bringing a case and to share perspectives on the operation of the Convention system.
>> See details and register here.
European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Country visits ■ 2026
The CPT has announced it will visit the following countries in 2026: Bulgaria, Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Sweden, United Kingdom.
>> NGOs are invited to contact the Committee ahead of the visits. See the list of visits here.
EUROPEAN UNION
European COMMISSION
Call for evidence ■ Persons with disabilities
The Commission is seeking input for a communication on “Enhancing the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities up to 2030”, aimed at supporting the implementation of the 2021–2030 EU Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
>> Submit by 6 February 2026. See details here.