This report, covering the period July 2005 to August 2006, examines the main challenges to human rights around the world and highlights the UK's activities and policies to address those challenges. It considers the countries of greatest concern in terms of human rights abuses; how the EU has worked to promote human rights, democracy and good governance over the past year and the UK's contribution to this work; the role of the United Nations, including the creation of the new Human Rights Council, and regional human rights mechanisms in Africa and America; the rule of law and issues of counter-terrorism, torture, penal reform and the death penalty; conflict prevention and refugees, international tribunals and post-conflict mechanisms; economic, social and cultural rights; equality and discrimination; democracy and freedom. It also includes six recent articles and speeches on human rights issues, details of Global Opportunities Fund projects, a guide to multilateral organisations, the status of international human rights treaty ratifications and the text of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights