UN human rights experts have raised serious concerns about global human rights, citing the growing ‘media deserts’ in the digital age and the marginalization of women. Reports prepared by special rapporteurs and independent experts shed light on sensitive international issues. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has previously highlighted similar problems. These experts, who serve without pay and are not UN staff, submit special reports on global and national issues. As of November 2025, there are 46 thematic and 13 country-specific mandates approved by the Human Rights Council.
Digital Technologies and Freedom of Expression Restrictions
Freedom of expression expert Irene Khan pointed to the negative impact of digital technologies on freedom of expression, stating that this leads to the formation of ‘media deserts’ and the shrinking of public space. According to Khan, many states use digital tools to suppress dissenting voices, while profit-driven manipulations by tech companies make online spaces dangerous for women, children, and journalists. Khan highlighted that the revenue of a single digital company exceeds the GDP of some nations and that platforms reach billions of users, underscoring the regulatory uncertainty between states and companies. She added that populist leaders and even some democratic governments use penal laws and inadequate AI frameworks to fuel censorship and hostility towards minorities, migrants, and women leaders. The expert urged states to fulfill their human rights responsibilities and prevent technology from harming global freedom of expression.
Taliban Decree Restricting Women’s Rights
UN experts reported that the Taliban’s new decree, issued in April 2026, regulating women’s right to divorce, makes women and girls more vulnerable to abuse and exploitation and increases the risk of abuse by guardianship authorities. The decree allows a child who has reached puberty to request separation, but this does not prevent girls from being forced into marriage and suffering harm that can last for years. The conditions for separation requests mentioned in the decree (inappropriateness, disappearance, stubbornness, religious grounds) are not clearly defined legally. It was stated that these provisions, while appearing to protect women, are practically undermined by discriminatory treatment and prejudices.
Invisibility and Rights Violations of Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women
Graeme Reid, an expert on protection against violence and discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, emphasized the need to address the forms of violence and discrimination faced by lesbian, bisexual, and queer women. Reid drew attention to the political and statistical invisibility of these communities. Stating that common structural patterns increase marginalization, Reid said that the rights of these women are often regulated by patriarchal institutions and made dependent on their relationships with men. He stated that this restricts their freedom of movement, housing, property, access to healthcare, and parental rights. The expert called on states to enact laws that ensure women can exercise their rights unconditionally, address violence, prohibit discrimination in healthcare services, and protect human rights defenders. He also stated that multilateral organizations, national human rights institutions, and civil society should support these efforts.
Use of Gender-Based Violence as a Tool of Repression in Nicaragua
According to a report by the Nicaraguan Group of Human Rights Experts, the Nicaraguan government uses gender-based violence against women, girls, and LGBTIQ+ individuals as a political tool of repression to punish and silence thousands of people. The report stated that hundreds of people, regardless of age difference, are subjected to political persecution and multiple violations, a situation exacerbated by gender discrimination and stereotypes. The government’s use of specific forms of gender-based violence and repression, particularly targeting women active in the public sphere, was emphasized. The group added that while the primary motivation for the violations committed since 2018 is political, the gender of the victims shapes the forms and effects of repression. Expert Reed Brody stated that although the government assigns women to positions within its institutions, these women are in a position of implementing orders, not giving them.
