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27 March 2025
Authored by Dr Erica Harper and Timo Istace, our recent report, 'Neurotechnology and Human Rights: An Audit of Risks, Regulatory Challenges, and Opportunities' offers a deep dive into the human rights implications of neurotechnology, focusing on both therapeutic and commercial applications. It identifies six critical human rights areas at risk from neurotechnology advancements: discrimination, freedom of thought, privacy, rights within the criminal justice system, mental and bodily integrity, and workplace rights. For each of these, the paper outlines the relevant human rights frameworks, potential impacts, associated risks, and proposes actionable recommendations for governments to safeguard these rights.
Given the complex and rapidly evolving nature of neurotechnology, the authors emphasize the challenges in crafting effective regulatory frameworks. They highlight that while enforceable domestic laws are essential for protecting human rights, states face significant technical and political hurdles in developing such legislation. An arguably more feasible option is the development of non-binding guidance that could serve as a normative baseline for policy development, foster international coordination, and promote consistent approaches to neurotechnology regulation, while still allowing for advancement and innovation.
The paper also addresses ethical concerns, such as the risk of normalizing neuroenhancement and exacerbating ableism. It calls for a proactive approach to ensure neurotechnology does not inadvertently lead to societal harm, including the violation of fundamental rights or the creation of new forms of inequality.
Erica Harper explained, 'As neurotechnology advances, it is crucial that we safeguard human rights by fostering international cooperation and establishing a regulatory framework that ensures innovation does not come at the cost of dignity, autonomy, and equality. To effectively address the risks, policymakers must prioritize the development of a comprehensive regulatory framework that balances innovation with the protection of fundamental human rights, ensuring that technological progress does not undermine individual freedoms and equality.'
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A new working paper, 'AI Decoded: Key Concepts and Applications of Artificial Intelligence for Human Rights and SDG Monitoring', has been published by the Geneva Human Rights Platform.
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Our new series of Research Briefs examine the impact of digital disinformation and potential solutions for its regulation
ICRC
Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.
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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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.
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To unpack the challenges raised by artificial intelligence, this project will target two emerging and under-researched areas: digital military technologies and neurotechnology.
UN Photo/Violaine Martin
The IHL-EP works to strengthen the capacity of human rights mechanisms to incorporate IHL into their work in an efficacious and comprehensive manner. By so doing, it aims to address the normative and practical challenges that human rights bodies encounter when dealing with cases in which IHL applies.
Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy