New Publication Assesses Innovative Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

20 March 2023

The new Working Paper The Emergence of Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases published by our Geneva Human Rights Platform (GHRP) identifies convergences, challenges and best practices related to innovative digital human rights tracking tools and databases.

The author Domenico Zipoli questions, in the paper’s 24 pages, whether the current international human rights system would benefit from more effective measures of data collection and digital tracking. He does so by analysing 15 selected information management tools developed by different stakeholders – providing for each tool dedicated hyperlinks, its main functions, a list of stakeholders responsible for the administration of the tool, a list of main users as well as specific challenges.

‘This publication is an important step towards assessing the value of digitalization for a more systemic approach to human rights monitoring and implementation’ explains Dr Zipoli, Project Coordinator at the Geneva Human Rights Platform.

‘This paper will be of interest to human rights software developers who lack comparative studies, international and regional human rights bodies, and national human rights actors, including human rights defenders and rights holders who deserve to be better informed on these tools’ benefits and potential impact on privacy’ he adds.

Providing Evidence and Fostering Exchanges

The development of digital human rights tracking tools and databases is a potentially significant step forward for the realisation of human rights and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the national level. The global interest in such software and the maturity of available tools indicates that it is only a matter of time before these are the rule, rather than the exception. However, it is still early days with little empirical evidence of their true practical value.

‘Whilst the trend is expanding, we still lack coordination, exchange of good practices and challenges among different tool developers and users. Our aim is to fill this specific gap’ underlines Dr Zipoli.

‘We also hope that this publication will improve knowledge exchange between software developers and policymakers using such tools and databases, thus fostering cooperation between the two categories of human rights actors’ he adds.

A New GHRP Initiative Digital Human Rights Tracking Tools and Databases

The publication of this Working Paper marks the start of a one-year GHRP-led initiative dedicated to the study of digital human rights tracking tools and databases – supported by the German Federal Foreign Office.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

neurotech image News

Human Rights Concerns in Neurotechnology Examined in New Research Brief

15 April 2025

Our research brief 'Neurotechnology - Integrating Human Rights in Regulation' examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology.

Read more

A GHRP training course News

Training Opportunities 2025: Engage with UN Human Rights Mechanisms

28 January 2025

The Geneva Human Rights Platform is launching its 2025 training programme, designed to empower stakeholders engaging with UN human rights system.

Read more

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.

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

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

surveillance image of people Project

Human Rights in a Digitalized World: Mapping Risk, Strengthening Regulation and Promoting the Development of International Human Rights Law

Started in August 2023

To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.

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