Event information

10 June 2024, 12:30-14:00
Register start 3 June 2024
Register end 10 June 2024

Downloads

Flyer >

The Emergence of Open-Source Information and Intelligence: What Challenges and Opportunities for UN Special Procedures?

Human Rights Conversations

Hands and Data Hands and Data

The widespread use of technologies characterises today’s reality. Mobile phones empower individuals to document human rights violations instantaneously and allow the dissemination of their materials and collected evidence across digital platforms with unprecedented speed. At the same time, publicly available images from drones or satellites can also provide an accurate record of what is happening on the ground. Amidst this scenario, Open-Source Information (OSI) and Intelligence (OSINT) emerge as helpful means for United Nations Special Procedures to expedite data collection in order to successfully fulfil their mandate, representing an avenue that could undoubtedly enhance their efficiency and impact. Nevertheless, within this promising landscape lie thorns of disparity and accessibility, challenges to information authenticity, and the spectres of disinformation and misinformation.

As OSI and OSINT present a unique opportunity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of UN Special Procedures, the numerous complexities involved should be identified to articulate solutions in order to maximise the possible impact that OSI and OSINT can have in assisting UN independent human rights experts in pursuing their mandates’ objectives.

This Human Rights Conversation aims to explore the potential of Open-Source Information and Intelligence in advancing the work of UN Special Procedures, identifying and analysing challenges and risks, as well as assessing how they could be mitigated in order to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of UN Special Procedures.

Moderator

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

Panelists

  • Clément Voule, Former Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association
  • Marija Ristic, Manager, Digital Verification Corps, Amnesty International
  • Léo Martine, Senior Geospatial Analyst, Human Rights Watch
  • Francesca Restifo, Senior Human Rights Lawyer - Representative to the United Nations Geneva, International Bar Association's Human Rights Institute

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.

 

Disclaimer

This event may be filmed, recorded and/or photographed on behalf of the Geneva Academy. The Geneva Academy may use these recordings and photographs for internal and external communications for information, teaching and research purposes, and/or promotion and illustration through its various media channels (website, social media, newsletters, annual report, etc.).

By participating in this event, you are agreeing to the possibility of appearing in the aforementioned films, recordings and photographs, and their subsequent use by the Geneva Academy.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GHRP Diplomat Training News

Strengthening Diplomacy: GHRP Training Course Enhances Engagement with UN Human Rights

5 February 2025

The GHRP’s annual training equipped 19 diplomats with key insights into the UN Human Rights Council’s mechanisms and multilateral processes.

Read more

neurodata graphics News

New Research Brief Evaluates the Effectiveness of GDPR in Mitigating Risks Associated with the Distinctive Nature of Neurodata

21 January 2025

Our recent research brief, Neurodata: Navigating GDPR and AI Act Compliance in the Context of Neurotechnology, examines how effectively GDPR addresses the unique risks posed by neurodata.

Read more

Local Government Event

Enhancing National Reporting and Implementation of Human Rights through Coordinated Engagement at the Local and Regional Levels: The Role of NMIRFs

23 July 2025, 10:00-17:00

This seminar explores how national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up can better integrate the capacities, data, and experiences of local and regional governments in advancing human rights implementation and reporting.

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

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Council Project

Human Rights Conversations

Started in January 2020

A series of events aimed at discussing contemporary issues and challenges related to the promotion and protection of human rights in Geneva and beyond.

Read more

A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

Read more

Cover of the publication Publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

published on March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

Read more