The Geneva Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) is an independent, non-governmental, non-profit organisation based in Geneva.
As an academic study and research institution, its key objective is to raise awareness and understanding about human rights. GIHR works for some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable communities, seeking to ensure that the principles of equality, dignity and respect are incorporated into all levels of public service. The Geneva Institute offers seminars, lectures, national and international programs and trainings in the field of human rights education since its foundation in 2004.
A unique service in Geneva
The GIHR is based in Geneva, as this is a central place for human rights activities in the intergovernmental system, with the meetings of the UN bodies, in particular the Human Rights Council and the treaty monitoring bodies.
The GIHR fulfills an indispensable role in assisting human rights defenders to make an effective use of the UN human rights procedures to more effective protection of human rights.
Annually we provide advice, logistic and strategic support to governmental and nongovernmental actors in defining and implementing their strategies in using international human rights procedures.
GIHR has been able throughout the years to distinguish its trainings from other organizations by being in both Arabic and English and by its commitment to networking and continual partnership.
The Institute has built and maintained long tern relationships and trust with countries in the Middle East and the African Regions. Our work has become crucial as a non political, human rights organization providing the much needed capacity building on international human rights standards and their principles to civil society organizations, governmental and non governmental organizations.
2012 May 11 - 14:35
The Geneva Institute for Human Rights (GIHR) this week held the second phase of its training program to build the capacity of civil society organizations in Libya. The session started on Sunday, May 6 in the Libyan city of Benghazi.
The initial stage of the program was held in Tripoli for five days starting on April 15. It gathered 27 participants, including both representatives from established civil society organizations and independent activists. The ten trainees who demonstrate the most promise will be invited to participate in a third phase to take place in Geneva this September.
2012 May 11 - 11:32
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay is making her first visit to South Sudan, the world's newest state, from 8-12 May.
2012 May 11 - 10:58
With an eye on Algeria's May 10 legislative elections, United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of peaceful assembly and of association, Maina Kiai, urged Algerian authorities to ensure that new regulations for civil society organizations, adopted at the end of last year, adequately meet the requirements of international human rights law.
2012 May 1 - 21:38
On May 1, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville called on the Bahrain government to release from incommunicado detention a human rights activist, Abdulhadi al-Khawaja, on hunger strike for 84 days.
2012 Apr 25 - 14:58
The Geneva Institute for Human Rights and the Algerian National Advisory Committee launched a new training session on the role of the Human Rights Committee (HRC), a four-day program that took place in the Algerian capital from April 22-25.
The program represented a cooperative effort between national institutions for human rights in Algeria with contractual entities of the United Nations.
2012 Apr 18 - 11:51
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, urged the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) authorities to intensify their work on the plight of the victims of trafficking.
2012 Apr 18 - 11:30
Recognizing the expanding capacity of both civil society organizations and human rights activists in Libya, the Geneva Institute for Human Rights is holding a three-stage training program on human rights protection mechanisms.
2012 Apr 7 - 22:06
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children, Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, is scheduled to undertake her first official visit to the United Arab Emirates from April 11 to 17. She plans to examine the situation of trafficked individuals and the impact of the country's anti-trafficking measures.
2012 Apr 7 - 21:56
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Thursday warned that comments allegedly made by the Governor of South Kordofan State in Sudan, Ahmed Haroun, could exacerbate an already dangerous situation in the border state.
2012 Apr 7 - 21:35
The United Nations Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery, Gulnara Shahinian, urged the Government of Lebanon to carry out a full investigation into the death of Alem Dechasa, a 33-year-old Ethiopian migrant domestic worker who committed suicide on March 14, 2012, a few days after she was filmed being beaten by men and dragged into a car in the Lebanese capital.