Being a human rights defender in 2018 - opening event of Geneva's Human Rights Week

Tuesday 13 November

18:30-20:00

Uni Dufour, room U300

2018 marks the 20th anniversary of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders and the 70th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In this particular context, the panel opening the Human Rights Weeks will be the occasion to address questions such as:

Who are human rights defenders? What are the challenges they typically face in 2018? Do the internet, new technologies, social media, etc modify who should be considered a human right defender?

Civil society is obviously not a monolithic group, how can diversity be promoted and voices heard? Have new technologies helped to give women and other groups a voice?

What are the main challenges in terms of civic space, in particular on-line? How are they evolving?

What is the role of Switzerland and UN member states in relation to human rights defenders and civic space? What role does the UN Office for human rights play in relation to human rights defenders?

Panel discussion moderated by Romaine Jean. Following initial questions and answers by the panelists, an open discussion between the panelists and the audience will take place.

Admission free