13 March 2024, 18:00-19:30
Register start 4 March 2024
Register end 13 March 2024
Event
Adobe
The new United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism, Ben Saul, commenced in November 2023. On 11 March 2024, he will present his first report to the 55th session of the UN Human Rights Council, outlining his vision and priorities for the next three years.
The Special Rapporteur’s report highlights how many of the human rights violations identified by his predecessors over two decades have not only not been remedied but have worsened. Excessive counter-terrorism laws and practices persist worldwide, including vague definitions and criminal offences of terrorism and violent extremism; arbitrary detention and unfair trial; extra-judicial killings; abuse of counter-terrorism financing laws; frequent resort to unlawful military violence. Meanwhile, there continues to be a general failure to address the conditions conducive to terrorism.
Accordingly, the Special Rapporteur will continue the vital work of his predecessor on topics including the misuse of counter-terrorism law against civil society, arbitrary detention and repatriation of detainees from North-East Syria, indefinite detention at Guantanamo Bay, victims of terrorism, and the respect for human rights by the UN itself. Additionally, new themes for future reports include assessing the human rights compliance in counter-terrorism by regional organizations, non-state actors, and international civil aviation and maritime bodies; in the use of national administrative measures; and in redressing past violations through accountability and reparation.
Today, and more than ever, it is crucial to halt the relentless and expanding rights violations in the name of countering terrorism and to question the assumption that more law equals less terrorism. His report is a call for States to redouble their efforts and that they move from rhetoric to action in putting human rights at the centre of counter-terrorism.
This side event on the margins of the 55th Session of the UN Human Rights Council offers a unique opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss the Special Rapporteur's vision of the mandate, identify existing gaps and emerging challenges in counter-terrorism and explore new avenues of collaboration.
Disclaimer
This event may be filmed, recorded and/or photographed on behalf of the Geneva Academy. The Geneva Academy may use these recordings and photographs for internal and external communications for information, teaching and research purposes, and/or promotion and illustration through its various media channels (website, social media, newsletters, annual report, etc.).
By participating in this event, you are agreeing to the possibility of appearing in the aforementioned films, recordings and photographs, and their subsequent use by the Geneva Academy.
Adobe
Our new Research Brief The Evolving Neurotechnology Landscape: Examining the Role and Importance of Human Rights in Regulation provides a comprehensive background analysis on the complexities of regulating neurotechnology and the role of human rights in this process and marks the inception of our research project on neurotechnology and human rights.
OHCHR
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 December highlight of the directory: The National Recommendations Tracking Database (NRTD).
Adobe
This training course will examine how the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights have been utilized to advance the concept of business respect for human rights throughout the UN system, the impact of the Guiding Principles on other international organizations, as well as the impact of standards and guidance developed by these different bodies.
Adobe
Participants in this training course, made of two modules, will examine the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights and the environment, familiarizing themselves with the respective implementation and enforcement mechanisms.
Olivier Chamard/Geneva Academy
The GHRP Briefings provide an opportunity for all stakeholders to discuss the results of the United Nations (UN) Treaty Body (TB) 2020 Review and practical ways to implement change.
Geneva Academy
Geneva Academy