Event information

6 June 2023, 10:00-11:30
Register start 16 May 2023
Register end 6 June 2023

Downloads

Flyer >

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Human Rights Conversations

Neurotechnology and Neuromodulation - Conceptual Illustration Neurotechnology and Neuromodulation - Conceptual Illustration

‘Neurotechnologies’ are defined as any electronic device, method or process conceived to access the human brain’s neuronal activity including the capacity to record, interfere or modify brain activity. These applications allow for a two-way connection (brain-computer interfaces) between the individual’s central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and an electronic system.

As with any technical innovation, neurotechnologies come with both promises and dangers for the realization of human rights. The more innovative and ground-breaking a technology is, the higher the stakes. While the application of advances in neuroscience shows great potential in the medical domain, thus also towards the realization of the right to health, the scope of the potential negative impacts on an array of other rights is quite unknown. This quest is guiding the current study by the Advisory Committee (AC) of the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC), mandated in HRC Resolution A/HRC/RES/51/3 on Neurotechnology and human rights.

In this resolution, the HRC notes the call in the UN Secretary-General’s 2021 report ‘Our Common Agenda’ to ‘prevent harms in the digital or technology spaces, including in neurotechnology’. Yet, this preventive approach is difficult to define, in particular as the development of neuroscience is no longer solely a prerogative of public interest and thus is not confined to public institutions and funding. On the contrary, due to its great economic potential, research and development are permeating the private domain. National examples of regulation are rare, but one notable case is the Chilean legislation on ‘neural rights’.

Regulatory approaches will also have to consider numerous legal, ethical and social aspects linked to technical developments. Those include equity and access to technology, as well as ownership of data and potential discriminatory or exploitative use of this technology, which may even put in question the very right to life, liberty and security of the person, to freedom of thought, or the right not to be subjected to arbitrary interference with his or her mental privacy.

The AC is now calling for input via a questionnaire to states and other stakeholders to gather information from existing approaches to this topic with the aim of identifying gaps in national and international legal frameworks and assessing the impact of the technology used on human rights.

This Human Rights Conversation, done in collaboration with the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA), aims at raising awareness of the work of the HRC and the AC, and contributing to the call for input, open until 2 July 2023. Panelists will discuss advances in technology and its national and international regulation, as well as the broader questions around calls for introducing new rights or a moratorium on technology development.

Moderator

  • Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director, Geneva Human Rights Platform

Panelists

  • H.E. Claudia Fuentes, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Chile to the UN in Geneva
  • Dr Milena Costas Trascasas, Rapporteur and Chairperson, UN Human Rights Council’s Advisory Committee
  • Dr Gérard Escher, Senior Advisor to the GESDA Board
  • Dr Jonathan Andrew, Independent Researcher

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.

Location

Villa Moynier, 120B Rue de Lausanne, Geneva

Access

Registration

Register here to attend this event in person at Villa Moynier.

Access by Public Transport

Tram 15, tram stop Butini

Bus 1 or 25, bus stop Perle du Lac

Access for Persons with Disabilities

Villa Moynier is accessible to persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or any additional needs and require assistance in order to participate fully, please email events[at]geneva-academy.ch

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

View of the training course News

MENA Academics and Human Rights Defenders Trained on the Geneva-Based UN Human Rights Mechanisms

24 April 2023

The Geneva Human Rights Platform and the Norwegian Center for Human Rights held in Geneva a training course on the work of United Nations (UN) human rights mechanisms for academics and human rights defenders from eight Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries.

Read more

Aerial view of destroyed buildings News

Experts Discuss the Use of Open-Source Information to Document IHL and Human Rights Violations

10 January 2023

A one-day consultation aimed at discussing with a variety of experts the challenges, opportunities and best practices arising from an increased reliance on open source information in accountability processes.

Read more

Event

Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 75: Reimagining Protection for a World in Turmoil

12 June 2023, 14:00-15:30

This event, co-organized with Amnesty International, will discuss the gains made since the UDHR adoption, challenges to the international normative framework on human rights and what the international community needs to do for a better future.

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

View of a session of the UN Human Rights Committee Training

The International Human Rights Standards and System: Monitoring and Implementation Strategies at the National Level

3-7 July 2023

This training course will delve into the means and mechanisms through which national actors can best coordinate their human rights monitoring and implementation efforts, enabling them to strategically navigate the UN human rights system and use the various mechanisms available in their day-to-day work.

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

13-17 November 2023

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

Futuristic Robot Arm Interacting with Screen Project

Disruptive Technologies and Rights-Based Resilience

Completed in July 2021

This project facilitated a multistakeholder consultative process to identify knowledge gaps, generate new evidence and co-design evidence-based tools to support regulatory and policy responses to human rights challenges linked to digital technologies.

Read more

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Project

The Universality of Human Rights: Developing Narratives to Help Overcome Polarization

Completed in January 2020

This research aimed at taking stock of and contributing to a better understanding of the above-mentioned challenges to the principle of universality of human rights while also questioning their validity.

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