'Human Rights Data Revolution' Academy Briefing in the International Spotlight

17 July 2024

Since its launch in April 2024, our most recent Academy Briefing, The Human Rights Data Revolution, has garnered significant international recognition. It delves into the transformative potential of digital technologies in the realm of human rights monitoring and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) implementation, and explores the development and increasing integration of digital human rights tracking tools and databases. Further to this, it examines best practices and related challenges through an in-depth study of digital solutions developed by various national and international stakeholders. It is the latest report of an ongoing Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) initiative that seeks to enhance human rights monitoring and SDG implementation through innovative technologies.

Key Events Showcasing the Human Rights Data Revolution

Dr Domenico Zipoli, GHRP Project Coordinator and author of the briefing, presented the findings of this significant publication at three prestigious events:

  • The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Consultation on Human Rights Index, held on 29-30 April 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This consultation aimed to provide a platform for dialogue among relevant experts to discuss the potential benefits of an ASEAN digital human rights tracking tool, or ‘Human Rights Index,’ as part of the AICHR’s Five-Year Work Plan (2021-2025).
  • The Second International Seminar on Exchange of Experiences among National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRFs) of International Recommendations on Human Rights, held in Asunción, Paraguay, between 8-9 May 2024. The organizers of this seminar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice of Paraguay, invited Dr. Zipoli to discuss the publication and present findings on various digital human rights tracking tools used by different NMIRFs. This activity is to be considered in the context of Human Rights Council resolution 51/33 on Promoting international cooperation to support national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up.
  • A panel discussion at the UN Headquarters in New York, held one week before the 2024 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. Co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Samoa and Germany to the UN in New York, the Pacific Community (SPC), UNDP, and OHCHR, this panel highlighted the transformative potential of digital technologies in monitoring and implementing SDG 16. The discussion featured best practices such as Samoa’s SADATA and OHCHR’s National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD), and efforts by various organizations to bridge the gap between SDG and human rights monitoring through innovative digital solutions. With the aim of bringing the discussion to Geneva, the GHRP, in collaboration with OHCHR and UNDP, is planning to host a similar side-event to the forthcoming 57th Human Rights Council session in September 2024.

Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform, explained, ‘The GHRP is committed to advancing the use of digital technologies in human rights monitoring and SDG implementation. The successful invitations to present at these high-profile events underscore the relevance and impact of the ‘Human Rights Data Revolution’ publication and the ongoing efforts of the GHRP to foster innovation in this critical field.’

Future Steps in Advancing Digital Human Rights Monitoring

Findings from the Human Rights Data Revolution will be presented at the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency Expert Workshop on Civic Space Monitoring and Protection, scheduled for September 2024 in Vienna. This workshop will connect key actors working on civic space monitoring and protection in Europe, including EU institutions, international organizations, civil society, national human rights institutions, academia, and donors. Participants will exchange knowledge on terminology, definitions, and monitoring methods, and discuss how to best support enhanced protection within the EU and its Member States through coherent and synergistic monitoring and protection efforts, including through innovative technologies.

‘In addition, the GHRP is planning to further advance this critical field by organizing the third expert roundtable on digital human rights tracking tools and databases by the end of 2024. Building on the pioneering discussions of the second expert roundtable, this upcoming event aims to foster deeper collaboration and innovation among developers and users of such tools, with a focus on interoperability, including through the use of A.I.and machine learning.’, added Domenico Zipoli.

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

Human Rights Tiles News

From Signals to Action: Strengthening the UN's Conflict Prevention Efforts

31 March 2025

Our recent research brief series explores how the United Nations' human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention.

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

Practical Training on Human Rights Council Procedures for SIDS/LDCs

4-5 June 2025

This hands-on training is designed specifically for diplomats from Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries who are current or prospective members of the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Read more

George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

Read more

First annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform Project

The Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Started in June 2019

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