17 September 2019, 12:00-13:00
Event
Corruption is one of the major impediments causing individuals to be denied the full enjoyment of their rights as enshrined in the United Nations (UN) human rights instruments. There has been long consideration given to the impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights and acknowledgement that corruption ‘both drives human rights abuses and hinders the effective discharge of human rights obligations’.
The UN Convention against Corruption has proven to be an important instrument governing the international fight against corruption. However, there have been discussions amongst stakeholders on the need to address corruption-related human rights issues. There is a growing recognition on the serious impediment’s corruption-related acts have on the enjoyment and fulfilment of human rights obligations. In March 2019, the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture published a report examining the relationship between corruption and torture or ill-treatment, outlining the predominant patterns of interaction between the two, systemic root causes and recommendations.
Since 2018, there has been a significant improvement in the way UN treaty bodies have addressed the issue of corruption in their work: there is greater awareness, corruption is increasingly linked to other human rights violations and mentioned in more countries. In order to keep improving this work, UN human rights mechanisms also need to receive information and reports on the issue of corruption.
In order to encourage anti-corruption groups and movements to use the UN human rights framework at their disposal, the CCPR Centre, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Geneva Academy developed a Practitioners’ Guide on Human Rights and Countering Corruption. This guide focuses notably on how UN human rights mechanisms can be better used to report on corruption issues, and it provides guidance as well as practical recommendations on effectively integrating human rights into anti-corruption efforts. The guide will be presented during this side-event.
On the occasion of the launch of the guide, this panel, co-organized with the CCPR Centre, OHCHR and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, will explore innovative practical ideas on how best to address corruption-related human rights issues within the UN human rights framework.
Geneva Academy
During a workshop on the application and potential misuse of new and emerging digital technologies, including in law enforcement and the management of peaceful assemblies, academics, law enforcement professionals, human rights lawyers and representatives from international organizations and civil society focused on how best human rights can be protected.
Geneva Academy
This landmark event of our Geneva Human Rights Platform focused on the need to bridge the gap between Geneva-based human rights mechanisms and the UN in New York, based on the interrelated nature of human rights issues across both cities.
Adobe
This panel will address crucial questions surrounding the necessity of a legal framework for gender apartheid under international law.
Adobe
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.
Adobe
Participants in this training course, made of two modules, will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, familiarizing themselves with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms.
Adobe
To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.
The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributes to this review process by providing expert input via different avenues, by facilitating dialogue on the review among various stakeholders, as well as by accompanying the development of a follow-up resolution to 68/268 in New York and in Geneva.
Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy