GANHRI brings together national human rights institutions in Geneva for its 2026 Annual Meeting
GANHRI’s 2026 Annual Meeting gets underway today at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, bringing together more than 250 representatives from National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs), UN agencies, States, and civil society through 1 April. The meeting is co-organised with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR/NIRMS).
“Artificial intelligence and digital technologies are transforming our world at a speed that may challenge human rights defenders’ ability to respond, quickly and efficiently. Mass surveillance, algorithmic decision-making, the spread of disinformation, amplifying discriminations, micro-targeting for commercial, economic, and political reasons: these are not abstract threats. This week, we come together to ensure that NHRIs are equipped to contribute to and lead the response,” said GANHRI Chairperson Amina Bouayach.
The programme includes the GANHRI Bureau Meeting, the General Assembly, regional network meetings and a series of side events. At the heart of the three-day meeting are Knowledge Exchange sessions and the Annual Conference.
People on the move: monitoring, accountability and inclusion
On 31 March, NHRIs will gather for their annual General Assembly followed by Knowledge Exchanges on the rights of people on the move. Operating in over 110 countries, NHRIs are uniquely placed to monitor and document violations affecting migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, internally displaced persons and stateless persons. The exchanges will also examine how NHRIs promote access to rights and services for those on the move.
The first exchange will focus on independent monitoring, early warning and accountability in transit and border contexts. The second will explore longer-term inclusion and access to healthcare, education, housing, social protection and decent work.
The Knowledge Exchanges build on GANHRI’s longstanding partnership with UNHCR and the multistakeholder pledge made at the Global Refugee Forum in December 2023.
Annual Conference: human rights in the digital space
The Annual Conference on 1 April is themed “The role of NHRIs in promoting and protecting human rights in the digital space.” Informed by a global survey of GANHRI members, it will examine how digitalisation is reshaping the enjoyment of human rights and how NHRIs are responding.
Discussions will cover surveillance, automated decision-making and artificial intelligence, and restrictions on freedom of expression and access to information online. The Conference will also look at the growing use of digital tools to target human rights defenders, and at how NHRIs can ensure their own digital transformation is secure, inclusive and rights based.
“NHRIs sit at the intersection of law, policy and people’s lived experience. That makes them uniquely placed to address the human rights dimensions of digital transformation. Not only by holding governments accountable, but by engaging in the norm-setting processes that will define the digital environment for generations to come,” explained GANHRI Secretary Alyson Kilpatrick.
An Outcome Statement will be adopted at the close of the Conference, identifying priority areas for NHRI engagement on digitalisation and emerging technologies, and supporting coordinated action at national, regional and international levels.