Event information

25 October 2019, 13:15-14:45

Downloads

Flyer >

Launch: United Nations Human Rights Guidance on Less Lethal Weapons

Event

Belt of police officers with a Taser Belt of police officers with a Taser

You are cordially invited by the Office of the United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), in collaboration with the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, the Centre for Human Rights (University of Pretoria) and the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva to the launch of the United Nations Human Rights Guidance on Less Lethal Weapons in Law Enforcement.

This Guidance, issued by OHCHR, is the outcome of research and broad consultations carried out under the auspices of the Geneva Academy and the University of Pretoria.

A group of experts – academics, representatives of UN agencies and other international organizations, UN special procedures mandate-holders, members of UN treaty bodies, law enforcement officials, experts in police oversight, and representatives of NGOs, civil society and manufacturers – helped to draft the Guidance, in collaboration with the OHCHR. Expert meetings were held in Cambridge, Geneva, and Pretoria.

The Guidance is designed to build upon existing standards such as the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms by Law Enforcement Officials.

Welcome and Moderation

  • Mona Rishmawi, Chief, Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch, OHCHR

Introduction

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Manager of Policy Studies, Geneva Academy and Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

Panelists

  • Christof Heyns, Professor, University of Pretoria, member, UN Human Rights Committee and Convenor of the expert group who drafted the Guidance
  • Andrés Pérez, Human Rights Officer, OHCHR
  • Neil Corney, Research Associate, Omega Research Foundation
  • Barbara Fontana, Counselor, Head of Human Rights Section, Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the UN in Geneva
  • Stuart Maslen, Honorary Professor, University of Pretoria
  • Beryl Orao, Kenya National Human Rights Commission

Lunch

A light lunch will be served at the foyer of Palais Wilson from 12:30

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

A Migrant migrant is holding her hands behind the protective fence. News

The GHRP Facilitates the Drafting of a General Comment on Enforced Disappearances in the Context of Migration

25 April 2023

The Geneva Human Rights Platform facilitated the drafting process of the UN Committee on Enforced Disappearances' very first General Comment (GC) – now out for consultation – on enforced disappearances in the context of migration.

Read more

A meeting of the Treaty Body members Platform at Villa Moynier News

The Treaty Body Members Platform in 2022

12 January 2023

In 2022, the TBMP hosted nine informal meetings for UN TBs, with the participation of UN TBs secretariat staff from OHCHR, along with UN Special Procedures mandate holders and their respective secretariat staff in order to support OHCHR ‘all-mechanism’ approach.

Read more

Neurotechnology and Neuromodulation - Conceptual Illustration Event

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

6 June 2023, 10:00-11:30

In this Human Rights Conversation, panelists will discuss the challenges that neurotechnologies raise for the enjoyment of human rights and the current work of the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee on this issue.

Read more

Event

Localizing SDGs and human rights through the UN Universal Periodic Review

8 June 2023, 13:15-14:15

This side event at the UN Habitat Assembly in Nairobi will discuss how local and regional governments localize the SDGs and fulfil human rights on the ground and their increased international visibility through the UPR.

Read more

Garment workersto receive food from their factory during lunch time. This food is freely provided by their factory in order to ensure that workers eat healthy and hygienic food. Training

Business and Human Rights

4-8 September 2023

This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.

Read more

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

18-22 September 2023

This training course will explore the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as with their implementation and enforcement mechanisms; and provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders.

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

Session of a UN Treaty Body Project

Treaty Bodies Individual Communications Procedures

Started in January 2019

Read more

Cover page of the research brief Publication

Climate Change in the Security Council: Obstacles, Opportunities, and Options

published on May 2023

Erica Harper, Adam Day

Read more