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Geneva Human Rights Dialogues: Freedom of Expression and the Universal Periodic Review

Twelve key messages and actions for strengthening UN mechanisms for freedom of expression are the fruits of a dialogue organized by the Swiss Commission for UNESCO (CSU) in collaboration with the OHCHR, the University of Geneva, UNESCO and the REGARD network.

22 June 2022

Last update:20 April 2023

The outcomes, and a video about the discussions, can be found .

The event gathered UN officials, NGOs, Special Rapporteurs and academics in an open-ended discussion structured around three segments:

current trends challenges on freedom of expression,
existing human mechanisms, and
lessons learned with partnership approaches.

On behalf of the co-organizers, the event was opened by Tawfik Jelassi, Assistant Director-General for Communication & Information, UNESCO, Nada Al-Nashif, United Nations Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights and Muriel Berset Kohen, Ambassador, Permanent Delegate of Switzerland to UNESCO.

The session had a strong focus on the UPR as an entry point for follow-up to specific recommendations. Further, it emphasized how the United Nations, in particular through the United Nations Country Teams (UNCTs), can help ensure that Freedom of Expression is advanced within in the 2030 Agenda by operationalizing and monitoring target 16.10: “Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements”.

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Convened in September 2021, the event was the first of a series of dialogues which offer creative platforms for in-depth discussions about recent trends, current challenges, and ways to ensure more robust and coherent cooperation with regional and universal human rights mechanisms.