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

Geneva Academy Briefing No.25 News

New Academy Briefing Calls for Stronger Engagement of Local and Regional Governments in Human Rights and SDG Monitoring

11 March 2025

The Geneva Academy’s latest publication explores how cities, municipalities, and regional authorities are becoming key players in global human rights governance.

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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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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 of the publication

Briefing N° 25: Localizing Multilateralism

March 2025

Domenico Zipoli, Ludovica Chiussi Curzi, Kamelia Kemileva

The Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights

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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

GTI Logo News

In Highlight: Global Torture Index

26 June 2025

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 current highlight of the directory: Global Torture Index

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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.

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Town Hall Meeting Training

Localizing International Human Rights

8-10 October 2025

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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Training

Human Rights and the Environment: Introducing Legal Regimes and Key Issues

1-8 September 2025

Participants in this training course will be introduced to the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as international environmental law and its implementation and enforcement mechanisms.

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George Floyd protest in Washington D.C. Project

Promoting and Protecting the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and Association and Civic Space Worldwide

Started in June 2020

This project aims at providing support to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights to Freedom of Peaceful Assembly and of Association Clément Voulé by addressing emerging issues affecting civic space and eveloping tools and materials allowing various stakeholders to promote and defend civic space.

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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 of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2024

published on July 2025

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