Event information

24 May 2019, 12:30-14:00

Downloads

Flyer >

Do Human Rights Need to be Saved? Universality versus Uniformity

Event

logo AHCD RVB

The universal recognition of human rights has been often criticized for disregarding the reality and wealth of cultural diversity and the multiple interpretations of humanity and of basic needs.

Moving beyond the philosophical question of whether anything can be apprehended as universal in our multicultural world, this panel discussion will focus on the legitimacy and the effectiveness of the multiplication of new rights.

Panelists will debate on the necessity to reaffirm the distinctions between binding legal obligations on governments, and broader issues of ethics, politics, and social change in order to ‘save’ the current human rights regime.

This event is organised in partnership with the Graduate Institute's Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy.

Moderator

  • Christine Lutringer, Executive Director and Senior Researcher, Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies

Panelists

  • Hurst Hannum, Professor of International Law, The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and Author of the book Rescuing Human Rights: A Radically Moderate Approach (Cambridge University Press, 2019).
  • Felix Kirchmeier, Manager of Policy Studies and Coordinator of the Geneva Human Rights Platform, Geneva Academy
  • Marco Sassòli, Director, Geneva Academy and Professor of International Law, University of Geneva
  • Neus Torbisco Casals, Senior Researcher, Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, Faculty member, Geneva Academy and Associate Professor of Law (on leave), Pompeu Fabra University

Registration

You need to register to attend this event via the online form on the Graduate Institute's website.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

soldiers News

Research Brief Examines the Importance of Balancing Rights and Surveillance in the Digital Age

18 March 2025

Our latest research brief examines how the expansion of surveillance technology without adequate oversight or human rights due diligence could a dangerous precedents.

Read more

Expert Roundtable on Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Human Rights Monitoring News

Expert Roundtable on Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Human Rights Monitoring

19 November 2024

The Geneva Human Rights Platform hosted an expert roundtable with the theme 'Opportunities for Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Human Rights Monitoring.'

Read more

Faces and Data Event

Academic Freedom under Siege

24 March 2025, 13:15-14:45

This Human Rights Conversation will highlight the significance of academic freedom, explore its legal foundations, and examine the concrete threats it faces.

Read more

Universal Declaration of Human Rights Booklet Training

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

7-11 July 2025

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

Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

Read more

Un plate with Rapporteur Spécial written on it Project

Support to UN Special Procedures

Started in June 2020

Read more

Session of the UN Human Rights Committee Project

Treaty Body Review 2020 and Beyond

Started in January 2018

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.

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

Cover page of the working paper Publication

AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

published on January 2025

Milica Mirkovic, Jennifer Victoria Scurrell

Read more