Local Implementation of Global Human Rights

Started in May 2020

The Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) collaborates with a series of actors to reflect on the implementation of international human rights norms at the local level and propose solutions to improve the uptake of recommendations and decisions taken by Geneva-based human rights bodies at the local level.

Building Bridges with National Human Rights Systems

Without a solid domestic human rights infrastructure and national monitoring and implementation strategies, UN and regional-level initiatives risk facing structural and procedural complications that might undermine their implementation.

To promote the integration of recommendations from the international system into national policies and the overall implementation of international human rights norms at the national level, the GHRP explores the role of national human rights systems in the implementation of international human rights standards and recommendations of Geneva-based mechanisms.

A series of workshops, consultations with national stakeholders and targeted publications will address this question, including via the development of a classification of national monitoring and implementation strategies that will take into account the variety of national systems. These include exclusively state-driven actors (e.g. parliamentary human rights committees, inter-ministerial mechanisms and national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up (NMIRFs)), state-driven and independent actors (e.g. national human rights institutions) and components driven by non-state actors (e.g. civil society forums).

The GHRP is increasingly engaged in the development of training courses for NMIRFs and research as part of a ‘group of critical friends’ of NMIRFs.

Human Rights in Cities

The GHRP, in partnership with UN-Habitat, the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the Geneva Cities Hub and FES Geneva is providing guidance to local governments, city-level practitioners and decision-makers, as well as national governments interested in local governance, to translate international human rights standards at the city level.

A series of expert meetings and their operational outcome documents will address specific human rights issues – gender, the inclusion of children and youth, older persons and persons with disabilities, as well as the inclusion of groups at risk of marginalization like refugees or indigenous peoples – to inform the next UN-Habitat Strategic Plan and identify concrete actions to implement at the city level.

 

 

NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS

GHRP Bologna Meeting News

Expert Roundtable Discusses Role of Local and Regional Governments in data collection for National Mechanisms

29 April 2024

The Geneva Human Rights Platform co-hosted an expert roundtable on 'Data Planning and Collection by National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting, and Follow-up', in Bologna, Italy.

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View of the international seminar on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up News

The Geneva Human Rights Platform Provides Input to Key Discussion on National Implementation of Human Rights

2 May 2023

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributed to the proceedings of an international seminar on national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up (NMIRFs).

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View of the Expert Roundtable News

Experts Discuss National Mechanisms for Human Rights Implementation

16 September 2022

At a roundtable organized by OHCHR in partnership with the Geneva Human Rights Platform, the Universal Rights Group, and the Danish Institute for Human Rights, experts discussed how they intend to give effect to the recommendations made in HRC report 50/64 on the establishment and development of national mechanisms for implementation, reporting and follow-up.

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TEAM

Picture of Felix Kirchmeier

Felix Kirchmeier

Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform

Felix Kirchmeier is the Executive Director of the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

Picture of Domenico Zipoli

Domenico Zipoli

Project Coordinator and Senior Research Fellow

His research focuses on the question of connectivity among international human rights mechanisms and on national strategies for monitoring, implementation and follow-up of international human rights obligations and recommendations.

Publications

Cover page of the Briefing

Briefing No°18: National Human Rights Strategies: The Role of National Human Rights Systems in the Implementation of International Human Rights Standards

January 2021

Domenico Zipoli

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights; The International Land Coalition

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Past Events

Localizing SDGs and human rights through the UN Universal Periodic Review

8 June 2023, 13:15-14:15

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Mayors, Human Rights and the UN Universal Periodic Review

27 January 2023, 14:00-16:00

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Mayors, Human Rights and the United Nations Universal Periodic Review

15 November 2022, 12:45-14:15

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Roundtable on National Mechanisms for Implementation, Reporting and Follow-up: What Next Steps?

5 September 2022, 12:30-14:00

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Smart Cities and Human Rights – Pitfalls and Opportunities

24 June 2022, 13:00-15:00

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MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

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.'

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GHRP in Davos News

AI and Human Rights in the Intelligent Age: GHRP in Davos

3 February 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributed to key discussions on AI, human rights, and sustainable digital governance at the World Economic Forum 2025.

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Faces and Data Event

The Future of Human Rights Measurement and Tracking

18 February 2025, 16:00-17:30

This Human Rights Conversation will bring together leading organizations and experts in the field, delving into specific tools, databases, and approaches that can enhance human rights monitoring and implementation.

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Portrait of Alain Berset Event

Le Conseil de l'Europe - Une mission-clé pour l'Europe et le monde

24 February 2025, 18:00-19:30

In this public lecture Alain Berset, Secretary General of the Council of Europe, will discuss with our director, Paola Gaeta and students from the Geneva Graduate Institute, University of Geneva and Geneva Academy.

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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.

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Panel Discussion: Project

Treaty Body Members’ Platform

Started in January 2014

The Treaty Body Members’ Platform connects experts in UN treaty bodies with each other as well as with Geneva-based practitioners, academics and diplomats to share expertise, exchange views on topical questions and develop synergies.

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A destroyed camp for internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Khor Abeche, South Darfur, Project

Understanding the Relationship between Conflict, Security and the Human Right to a Clean, Healthy and Sustainable Environment

Started in May 2023

This project will develop guidance to inform security, human rights and environmental debates on the linkages between environmental rights and conflict, and how their better management can serve as a tool in conflict prevention, resilience and early warning.

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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

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