Our New Visiting Fellow: Ibrahim Salama

Portrait of Ibrahim Salama Portrait of Ibrahim Salama

27 August 2019

Ibrahim Salama is the Chief of the Human Rights Treaties Branch of the Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights. As such he manages the functioning of the UN treaty body system which monitors states’ compliance with their human rights obligations through periodical reporting, visits, inquiries and individual petitions.

He just joined the Geneva Academy as Visiting Fellow and will stay with us until end of 2019.

What Motivated you to Carry out a Fellowship at the Geneva Academy?

I had close collaboration with the Geneva Academy through their work on the future of the UN treaty body system. This allowed me to further deepen my conviction that independent academic thinking can contribute immensely to providing solutions to complex multilateral challenges. Particularly in an era where the push back against human rights seems to become a worrying global phenomenon.

What will be the Focus of your Research during this Fellowship?

I will carry out research on the human rights role and responsibilities of religious actors, attempting to provide a draft human rights toolbox for human rights training for faith actors.

Why is this Issue Important?

I believe that the human rights movement confronts a dilemma between secularism and the rising role of religions. Religious actors play both constructive and destructive roles in different parts of the world. Recognising and empowering faith actors in the area of human rights can bring great benefits in terms of peace, development, security and human rights.

 What Will be the Impact of this Research?

I hope that this research will contribute to the emergence of a new powerful human rights actor.

What Do You Expect from your Time at the Geneva Academy?

I expect debates, fresh perspectives, methodological guidance and even potential collaboration if the results of my research are of interest to the Geneva Academy.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

GHRP Ai for Good Workshop News

Exploring the Role of Artificial Intelligence in Human Rights Monitoring: Key Takeaways from the AI for Good Workshop

22 July 2025

Our event brought together human rights practitioners, data scientists, and AI experts to explore how artificial intelligence can support efforts to monitor human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals.

Read more

MENA Training GHRP News

Strengthening MENA Engagement with UN Human Rights Mechanisms: Second Edition of our Tailored Training

24 July 2025

Participants from six countries across the Middle East and North Africa region joined our customized training on the Geneva-based United Nations human rights mechanisms

Read more

Digital Globe Event

Information Management & Machine Learning for Human Rights: Digital Transformation in the Public Sector - Workshop at the 2025 LATSIS Symposium

12 September 2025, 13:30-15:30

This interactive, two-part workshop will explore how modern data-science tools – including machine learning and AI – can be leveraged to support the United Nations in promoting and protecting human rights.

Read more

Special Rapporteur Sign Event

Mandates in Dialogue: Strengthening Collaboration Across UN Mechanisms and Academic Institutions

4 September 2025, 18:00-19:30

This Human Rights Conversation will explore how cross-mandate cooperation can be enhanced, and how academia can play a more strategic and aligned role in supporting mandate holders.

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

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Session of a UN Treaty Body Project

Treaty Bodies Individual Communications Procedures

Started in January 2019

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

Read more