Geneva Academy
26 June 2018
In the framework of the Geneva Human Rights Platform and its focus on human rights and freedoms in the digital age, the Geneva Academy hosted an informal consultation with the new United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association Clément Voule and civil society.
During this meeting, around 30 civil society representatives discussed the challenges pertaining to freedom of association and assembly online, including matters related to surveillance, the role of host providers, recent restrictions that result to the shrinking of civic space, and whether it’s still necessary to maintain the online-offline dichotomy.
The Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a dynamic forum for all stakeholders in the field of human rights – experts, practitioners, diplomats and civil society – to discuss and debate topical issues and challenges. Relying on academic research and findings, it aims at enabling various actors to become better connected, break down silos and, hence, advance human rights.
In this context, we notably focus on human rights and freedoms in the digital age and support the work of the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and of association.
adobe
Our latest research brief critically explores how, under the guise of national security, governments misuse laws and narratives to target minorities and suppress political opposition.
Geneva Academy
The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributed to key discussions on AI, human rights, and sustainable digital governance at the World Economic Forum 2025.
UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré
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.
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.
Olivier Chamard/Geneva Academy
Victoria Pickering
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.
Geneva Academy