Successful First Annual Conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

View of the conference room of the annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform View of the conference room of the annual conference of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

3 June 2019

During one day, more than 100 experts, practitioners, academics, diplomats and representatives of NGOs, international organizations and National Human Rights Institutions discussed and debated the connectivity of human rights mechanisms.

‘We aim, with this annual conference, at creating a space for open discussion on the functioning of the Geneva-based human rights mechanisms and proposals for potential improvements to keep them fit for purpose’ explains Felix Kirchmeier, Coordinator of the Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP).

‘The intensity of the discussions and exchanges among panelists and participants clearly show that we met this objective’ he adds.

Focus on the Connectivity of Human Rights Mechanisms

Inspired by Professor Sarah Cleveland who identified in her keynote address the stage of human rights today as ‘the Age of Connectivity’, four panels explored the connectivity of human rights mechanisms by focussing on particular issues and on how the mechanisms address them.

‘We had for instance very interesting discussions on the contribution of human rights bodies to the development of international human rights law. But the conference looked also into specific issue areas in order to discuss the connectivity not only in the abstract. These include the linkages with the Sustainable Development Goals, or the contribution by human rights mechanisms to the protection of civil society space, in order to discuss the connectivity not only in the abstract’ stresses Felix Kirchmeier.

Geneva Human Rights Platform Annual Conference Keynote Sarah Cleveland

A Wide-Range of Partners

The conference’s panels have been organized with a wide range of partners, including civil society organizations, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and academic institutions.

‘I am very grateful to all our partners for their involvement and for making this conference a success. Working with such a wide range of stakeholders allows for increased sharing, exchange and collaboration across different human rights actors’ explains Felix Kirchmeier.

Geneva Human Rights Platform Annual Conference

About the Geneva Human Rights Platform

The GHRP provides a neutral and dynamic forum of interaction in Geneva for all stakeholders in the field of human rights to debate topical issues and challenges related to the functioning of the Geneva-based human rights system. Relying on academic research and findings, it works to enable various actors to be better connected, break silos, and, hence, advance human rights.

As a ‘Mechanisms Lab’, the GHRP supports the international community to engineer solutions to ensure the sustainable functioning of the Geneva-based human rights mechanisms and bodies, allowing them to address human rights challenges effectively.

The GHRP is hosted by the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, a joint centre of the University of Geneva and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies. It is supported by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

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

Local Government Event

Enhancing National Reporting and Implementation of Human Rights through Coordinated Engagement at the Local and Regional Levels: The Role of NMIRFs

23 July 2025, 10:00-17:00

This seminar explores how national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up can better integrate the capacities, data, and experiences of local and regional governments in advancing human rights implementation and reporting.

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

10-14 November 2025

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

Open dump Training

Protecting Human Rights and the Environment

15-19 September 2025

Participants in this training course will gain practical insights into UN human rights mechanisms and their role in environmental protection and learn about how to address the interplay between international human rights and environmental law, and explore environmental litigation paths.

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

Online folders Project

Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Started in March 2023

This initiative wishes to contribute to better and more coordinated implementation, reporting and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through a global study on digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

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