Our new research brief ‘Neurotechnology – Integrating Human Rights in Regulation‘, co-authored by Dr Erica Harper, Head of Research and Policy Studies at the Geneva Academy and Dr Allan McCay, Academic Fellow, Sydney Law School and Co-director, Sydney Institute of Criminology, examines the human rights challenges posed by the rapid development of neurotechnology. As the field … Continued
On 2 April 2025, the Geneva Academy presented the IHL in Focus: Annual Report to a group of UN member states at the Permanent Delegation of the European Union to the UN Office and other international organizations in Geneva. The Report offers a comprehensive, data-driven analysis of compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) across 22 … Continued
In today’s hyper-connected world, digital disinformation operations (‘disinfo-ops’) have become a persistent and deeply disruptive force—shaping narratives, distorting public debate, and undermining trust in institutions. Our new four-part series of research briefs written by Steven J. Barela, offers a multi-dimensional analysis of disinfo-ops, beginning with their mechanics and impact on the information ecosystem, and progressing … Continued
Authored by Adam Day and Emma Bapt, our recent two-part research series explores how the United Nations’ human rights system can enhance its role in early warning and conflict prevention. The first brief, ‘From Signals to Action – How the UN Human Rights System Can Deliver Early Warning and Conflict Prevention‘, examines how human rights … Continued
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 … Continued
Private Military and Security Companies (PMSCs) have long operated on the edges of conflict, providing everything from combat support to site protection and logistical services. However, a small subset — which this research calls the ‘1%’ — has evolved into something more complex on the border of private enterprise, state-backed militias, and mercenaries. Our latest … Continued
The Geneva Academy’s latest publication, Academy Briefing No. 25, Localizing Multilateralism: The Role of Local and Regional Governments in Advancing Human Rights and the SDGs, explores how cities, municipalities, and regional authorities are becoming key players in global human rights governance. Despite their proximity to communities and their critical role in implementing international human rights … Continued
Today we release the IHL in Focus: Annual Report, which documents and analyses compliance with International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in some of the world’s most pressing conflicts. It sheds light not only on the well-documented crises dominating global headlines but also on the many violations that unfold in the shadows. Covering 22 active conflicts between … Continued
Following his election as President of the Human Rights Council, we had the honour of welcoming Ambassador Jürg Lauber for the Geneva Academy’s Spring Semester Opening Lecture on the 19 February 2025. The Human Rights Council: Law, Politics, or Both? During the lecture, Ambassador Lauber explained the role of the Human Rights Council (HRC), outlining … Continued
Digital platforms empower civic engagement and activism, but also pose serious risks, such as government surveillance, targeted cyberattacks, and sophisticated disinformation tactics. Ransomware attacks on healthcare systems, government networks, and infrastructure illustrate how cyber threats can disrupt essential services and national security. Disinformation campaigns, amplified by AI-generated deepfakes and bot-driven misinformation, have been used to … Continued