'Human Rights Data Revolution' Academy Briefing in the International Spotlight

Dr Domenico Zipoli, GHRP Project Coordinator and author of the briefing, presented the findings of this significant publication at three prestigious events:

• The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) Consultation on Human Rights Index, held on 29-30 April 2024 in Jakarta, Indonesia. This consultation aimed to provide a platform for dialogue among relevant experts to discuss the potential benefits of an ASEAN digital human rights tracking tool, or ‘Human Rights Index,’ as part of the AICHR’s Five-Year Work Plan (2021-2025).
• The Second International Seminar on Exchange of Experiences among National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up (NMIRFs) of International Recommendations on Human Rights, held in Asunción, Paraguay, between 8-9 May 2024. The organizers of this seminar, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Justice of Paraguay, invited Dr. Zipoli to discuss the publication and present findings on various digital human rights tracking tools used by different NMIRFs. This activity is to be considered in the context of Human Rights Council resolution 51/33 on Promoting international cooperation to support national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up.
• A panel discussion at the UN Headquarters in New York, held one week before the 2024 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. Co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Samoa and Germany to the UN in New York, the Pacific Community (SPC), UNDP, and OHCHR, this panel highlighted the transformative potential of digital technologies in monitoring and implementing SDG 16. The discussion featured best practices such as Samoa’s SADATA and OHCHR’s National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD), and efforts by various organizations to bridge the gap between SDG and human rights monitoring through innovative digital solutions. With the aim of bringing the discussion to Geneva, the GHRP, in collaboration with OHCHR and UNDP, is planning to host a similar side-event to the forthcoming 57th Human Rights Council session in September 2024.

Felix Kirchmeier, Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform, explained, ‘The GHRP is committed to advancing the use of digital technologies in human rights monitoring and SDG implementation. The successful invitations to present at these high-profile events underscore the relevance and impact of the ‘Human Rights Data Revolution’ publication and the ongoing efforts of the GHRP to foster innovation in this critical field.’

Findings from the Human Rights Data Revolution will be presented at the EU's Fundamental Rights Agency Expert Workshop on Civic Space Monitoring and Protection, scheduled for September 2024 in Vienna. This workshop will connect key actors working on civic space monitoring and protection in Europe, including EU institutions, international organizations, civil society, national human rights institutions, academia, and donors. Participants will exchange knowledge on terminology, definitions, and monitoring methods, and discuss how to best support enhanced protection within the EU and its Member States through coherent and synergistic monitoring and protection efforts, including through innovative technologies.

‘In addition, the GHRP is planning to further advance this critical field by organizing the third expert roundtable on digital human rights tracking tools and databases by the end of 2024. Building on the pioneering discussions of the second expert roundtable, this upcoming event aims to foster deeper collaboration and innovation among developers and users of such tools, with a focus on interoperability, including through the use of A.I.and machine learning.’, added Domenico Zipoli.