Introducing the DHRTTD Directory: Revolutionizing Human Rights Implementation with Digital Tools

27 June 2023

Human rights implementation challenges abound and, besides representing a growing field of research, hinder progress on the ground. Government ministries and implementing actors often work in isolated siloes, resulting in weak coordination, limited visibility, and, ultimately, inefficiency. The consequences are dire, with duplicated efforts, inconsistent messaging, and an overwhelming reporting burden.

Recognizing the pressing need for effective management and access to human rights information, new digital human rights tracking tools and databases represent the latest promise for more coordinated, accessible and ultimately efficient national human rights and development strategies.

A Global Study on Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

Our Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) just launched a global study on these digital human rights tracking tools and databases (DHRTTDs). This one-year initiative aims to contribute to better implementation, reporting, and follow-up of international human rights recommendations through the power of digital technology.

DHRTTDs, an umbrella term coined by our GHRP, encompass a diverse array of software, each serving distinct functions and users. These tools can be broadly classified into three categories, each playing a vital role in the quest for human rights progress:

  1. Digital human rights tracking tools: designed to track the implementation cycle of country-specific recommendations by regional/United Nations (UN) human rights mechanisms and link these to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  2. Human rights measurement projects: employing defined methodologies, including AI and machine learning, to build indicators, and indexes for measuring human rights progress by country or by-theme
  3. Human rights databases: Acting as information repositories, these databases compile country-specific recommendations from regional and UN human rights mechanisms, along with case law and international standards.

Some DHRTTDs are developed by international organizations and specific states, facilitating information management within line ministries and National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRFs). Others are open access, developed by National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) and civil society organizations, promoting transparency and inclusivity. Academia is at the forefront of human rights measurement projects.

The Directory

To provide the international community with the most up-to-date overview of these online tools and databases, our GHRP is proud to unveil its new DHRTTD Directory.

This dedicated space on the GHRP website will be regularly updated with new and innovative DHRTTDs, making them easily accessible to all stakeholders. The directory features dedicated pages for each tool – providing an in-depth analysis of each tool’s primary functions, developers, users, and a direct link to the tool itself.

‘With the launch of the DHRTTD Directory and by promoting the use of these cutting-edge digital tools, we seek to foster coordination, accessibility, and efficiency in national human rights strategies. So happy DHRTTD browsing!’ says Dr Domenico Zipoli, GHRP Project Coordinator.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

CCPR  Logo News

In Highlight: ICCPR Follow-up World Maps

4 December 2024

Via its DHRTTDs Directory, the Geneva Human Rights Platform provides a comprehensive list and description of such key tools and databases. But how to navigate them? Which tool should be used for what, and by whom? This interview helps us understand better the specificities of the current highlight of the directory: ICCPR Follow-up World Maps

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

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

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

Plastic pollution on an Italian shore Project

Unpacking the Human Right to a Healthy Environment: Definition, Implementation and Impact

Started in January 2022

This research aims at mainstreaming the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment and the protection it affords in the work of the UN Human Rights Council, its Special Procedures and Universal Periodic Review, as well as in the work of the UN General Assembly and UN treaty bodies.

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