Event information

12 May 2022, 14:00-15:30

Downloads

Flyer >

Universally Digital

Human Rights Conversations

poster on big data poster on big data

Digitalization affects in many ways the enjoyment of human rights. Its specific impact on the issue areas covered by United Nations (UN) Special Procedures Mandates of the UN Human Rights Council has been addressed by a number of mandate holders, in particular in the areas of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the right to privacy.

This Human Rights Conversation aims at looking at what this digitalization means for the universality of human rights.

  • Does digitalization provide a path to strengthening the universal enjoyment of human rights?
  • Does the digital spread of information enhance universal understanding and knowledge about human rights?
  • What new challenges does digitalization pose to the universally recognized human rights, as defined in documents written in the pre-digitalization era? Do we need an update of the rights, or even new ‘e-rights’?

This discussion forms part of an ongoing research project at the Geneva Academy aimed at taking stock of and contributing to a better understanding of the various criticisms and tensions around the principle of universality of human rights, contrasting or reconciling different narratives.

Moderation

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

Panelists

  • Clément Voule, UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of sssociation
  • Koumba Boly Barry, UN Special Rapporteur on the right to education
  • Yuval Shany, Professor, Hebrew University and former Member, UN Human Rights Committee

About Human Rights Conversations

Human Rights Conversations are a series of events, hosted by the Geneva Human Rights Platform, aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

Video

Human Rights Conversation : Universally Digital

Watch the latest Human Rights Conversation, which discussed the various criticisms and tensions around the principle of universality of human rights, in particular in the areas of freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and the right to privacy.

 

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GTI Logo News

In Highlight: Global Torture Index

26 June 2025

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the current highlight of the directory: Global Torture Index

Read more

GHRP EU News News

Bridging Geneva and Europe: advancing human rights in the digital age

2 June 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform has taken its work on strengthening the international human rights system to the heart of European policymaking.

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in an Era of Escalating Armed Conflict: Where Can International Human Rights Law Help?

25 September 2025, 18:30-20:00

This evening dialogue will present the publication: International Human Rights Law: A Treatise, Cambridge University Press (2025).

Read more

Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

This training course, specifically designed for staff of city and regional governments, will explore the means and mechanisms through which local and regional governments can interact with and integrate the recommendations of international human rights bodies in their concrete work at the local level.

Read more

A general view of participants during of the 33nd ordinary session of the Human Rights Council. Training

The Universal Periodic Review and the UN Human Rights System: Raising the Bar on Accountability

10-14 November 2025

This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.

Read more

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

Read more

Sign: National Human Rights Commission of Nepal Project

Local Implementation of Global Human Rights

Started in May 2020

The Geneva Human Rights Platform collaborates with a series of actors to reflect on the implementation of international human rights norms at the local level and propose solutions to improve uptake of recommendations and decisions taken by Geneva-based human rights bodies at the local level.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more