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Promoting and advancing human rights in global AI ecosystems: The need for a comprehensive framework under international law

Alexander Kriebitz, Caitlin C. Corrigan (eds.)

Globethics Foundation; Responsible AI Network – Africa (RAIN-Africa) (2026), 33 pp.

"In response to far-reaching societal impacts of AI, policymakers are increasingly adopting a human rights lens for AI governance. However, the regulatory landscape remains fragmented and characterized by Western led initiatives as well as inconsistent enforcement. To address these limitations, a un ... ified and binding international framework is urgently needed. The proposed Convention on AI, Data, and Human Rights (drafted as the “Munich Convention on AI, Data, and Human Rights”) is an initiative toward such a framework. Developed with contributions from over 50 global experts, it proposes an international convention to align AI governance with human rights principles. This whitepaper explores the underlying rationale behind the convention, emphasizing its alignment with the norms and principles articulated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Charter. It examines the relevance of safeguards against AI’s misuse in facilitating human rights violations, with particular focus on protecting underrepresented or marginalized groups, including indigenous peoples, and addressing collective rights. It furthermore points to the necessity to codify rights that empower individuals to opt out, be forgotten, seek explanations, and access remedies to maintain adequate human rights standards in the context of AI. The urgency to act arises from the escalating impact of AI and the rapid pace of political and technological advancements. The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) is particularly well poised to play a leading role in initiating global discussions on a binding convention for AI governance, grounded in human rights principles. Drawing on its established mandate to uphold human rights globally, the UNHRC has a record of successfully embedding human rights principles into international frameworks, as demonstrated by its endorsement of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and the recognition of the right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment. Through dedicated action around promoting a convention on AI and human rights, the UNHRC can foster international consensus and proactively shape the future of AI in a manner that prioritizes the values and principles enshrined in the key documents of international human rights law." (Executive summary) more

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The Handbook of Communication in Africa: Theory, Research, and Praxis

Stacey L. Connaughton, Joëlle M. Cruz, Peter F. Masibo Lumala (eds.)

Oxford: Routledge (2026), 406 pp.

"The anthology showcases how communication scholarship can converse with on-the-ground initiatives and activism on the African continent. Rather than attempting to provide one homogeneous picture of a diverse continent, the handbook highlights the need to embrace an African worldview, regional varia ... more

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Research Handbook on Human Rights and Digital Technology Global Politics, Law and International Relations

Ben Wagner, Matthias C. Kettemann, Kilian Vieth-Ditlmann, Susannah Montgomery (eds.)

Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, 2nd ed. (2025), 428 pp.

"Bringing together perspectives from academia and practice, this second edition Research Handbook provides fresh insights into debates surrounding digital technology and how to respect and protect human rights in an increasingly digital world. New and updated chapters cover the issues posed by the m ... more

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Digital Defenders Partnership 2024-2027 Strategic Plan: Towards Centric Feminism and Decoloniality

Digital Defenders Partnership (2024), 45 pp.

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How International Human Rights Standards and Mechanisms Help Protect Journalists

Geneva: United Nations, Office of the High Commission on Human Rights (OHCHR) (2023), 8 pp.

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Digital Security and Human Rights Defenders Landscape: Recommendations for NHRIs in the Asia-Pacific

Bangkog: Asia Centre (2023), 22 pp.

"Governments in the Asia-Pacific region have responded to human rights defenders' (HRD’s) new online advocacy strategies, affecting their online advocacy through the use of legal and non-legal measures to harass them and impede their work. Against this backdrop, National Human Rights Institutions ... more

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Groupwork with Refugees and Survivors of Human Rights Abuses: The Power of Togetherness

Jude Boyles, Robin Ewart-Biggs, Rebecca Horn, Kirsten Lamb (eds.)

London; New York: Routledge (2023), 260 pp.

"Groupwork with Refugees and Survivors of Human Rights Abuses describes, explores and promotes the power of groupwork for refugees and survivors of human rights abuses in a range of contexts. Drawing on multiple theoretical approaches, the book features chapters from practitioners running groups in ... more

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Digital Security and Human Rights Defenders in the Asia-Pacific

James Gomez, Marc Piñol Rovira et al.

Bangkog: Asia Centre (2023), 47 pp.

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The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its Potential to Foster Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Safety of Journalists: A Guide for Journalists

Gabriela Sotomayor

Paris: UNESCO (2023), 15 pp.

"This guide aims to provide information to help improve press coverage of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on issues relating to the right to freedom of expression, the safety of journalists and access to information with the purpose of improving their ability to inform the public, to a professio ... more

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Donor Principles for Human Rights in the Digital Age

Freedom Online Coalition (2023), 11 pp.

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¿Cómo podría la alfabetización mediática contribuir a la vigencia de los derechos humanos?

René Zeballos

Guadalajara: Catedra UNESCO AMIDI - Alfabetización Mediática e Informacional y Diálogo Intercultural (2023)

"Cuando se revisa lo que plantea la UNESCO en la Alfabetización Mediática e Informacional (AMI), puede constatarse que no se trata de una propuesta de enseñanza y aprendizaje instrumental referido a la información y a los medios y tecnologías de comunicación: su alcance tiene que ver con compr ... more

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Write for Rights 2022 Campaign Report

Amnesty International (2023), 62 pp.

"For the twenty-second consecutive year, Write for Rights activities took place across the world. While online actions continued to increase, we also saw a major return to offline events, as Covid 19 restrictions were lifted in most countries. From running marathons in Zimbabwe, to music concerts in ... more

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The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its Potential to Foster Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Safety of Journalists: Guidelines for National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs)

Hina Jilani

Paris: UNESCO (2022), 15 pp.

"These UNESCO guidelines aim to provide practical support to National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) on the use of the UPR process to improve freedom of opinion and expression, safety of journalists, and access to information and to strengthen their capacity to engage with the process in all its ... more

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The Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its Potential to Foster Freedom of Expression, Access to Information and Safety of Journalists: Guidelines for Civil Society Organizations

UNESCO; Amnesty International (2022), 17 pp.

"This guide aims to encourage civil society and community organizations, activists and individuals to engage with the United Nations' (UN) Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism on freedom of expression, safety of journalists and access to information issues. The guide explains why it is importan ... more

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Content Moderation in autoritären Staaten: Wie soziale Medien zu Komplizen autoritärer Herrscher zu werden drohen

Paula Köhler, Daniel Voelsen

Berlin: Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) (2022), 8 pp.

"Täglich gibt es Berichte darüber, wie private Betreiber sozialer Medien sich problematischen Vorgaben autoritärer Herrscher beugen. Ob in Thailand, Kasachstan oder Russland, immer wieder werden als Teil von Content Moderation (CM) gezielt Inhalte entfernt oder Konten gelöscht, weil Regierungen ... more

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Defending Democracy in Exile: Policy Responses to Transnational Repression

Yana Gorokhovskaia, Linzer. Isabel

Washington, DC: Freedom House (2022), 42 pp.

"Transnational repression is strategically employed by autocrats, enabled by underprepared host governments, and spreading rapidly around the world. This report aims to assess the strengths and weaknesses in the global understanding of and responses to transnational repression, so that governments, ... more

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Brennpunkt Westafrika: Die Fluchtursachen und was Europa tun sollte

Olaf Bernau

Bonn: Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (bpb), Sonderausg. (2022), 317 pp.

"Westafrika wird in Europa oft undifferenziert als Krisenregion wahrgenommen. Während fundierte Kenntnisse über die Geschichte und Gegenwart der dortigen Staaten vielfach fehlen, halten sich Stereotype über die Ursachen von Flucht und Migration in und aus Westafrika zäh. Der Soziologe Olaf Berna ... more

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National Human Rights Institutions and Journalist Safety

Binod Bhattarai

Copenhagen: International Media Support (IMS) (2022), 98 pp.

"This report explores the role of national human rights institutions (NHRIs) in South and Southeast Asia – Nepal, the Philippines, Indonesia and Pakistan – and how their engagement in supporting national protection mechanisms for journalists can contribute to upholding their mandate of promoting ... human rights for all. Indonesia has an estimated 100,000 journalists in a population of over 271 million people. Its geography represents a challenge for monitoring violations of press freedom and the safety of journalists. In Indonesia, journalists’ and civil society groups have begun to support vulnerable journalists and to collaborate on setting up a national safety mechanism for them. Such a mechanism could involve existing organisations of journalists, the National Human Rights Commission of Indonesia, the Press Council and other state agencies. Preliminary consultations are assessing which institutions might anchor such a mechanism and whether the existing legal framework is appropriate or adequate. Nepal saw a rise in the persecution and assassinations of journalists during the Maoist government conflict (1996-2006) and the long transition to a new constitution (2006-2015). Some perpetrators were prosecuted successfully, but many cases remain open. Nepal was one of the first countries whose NHRI considered the establishment of a mechanism for journalists’ safety. The Nepal National Human Rights Commission and the Federation of Nepali Journalists began working towards this in 2012, and their efforts culminated in 2019 when the Nepal National Human Rights Commission approved a directive to establish a multi-stakeholder mechanism for upholding the freedom of expression of all citizens, including journalists. Pakistan has one of the world’s highest rates of impunity for crimes against journalists, despite the formidable efforts of journalists’ and civil society groups. For example, out of over 140 journalist deaths, only three perpetrators have been prosecuted and all three verdicts were overturned on appeal. However, change could be in the air: Pakistan enacted a new national law in 2021 – based on one adopted earlier by a provincial government – to protect journalists’ safety. While this legislation is welcome, those laws do not include a role for the Pakistan National Commission of Human Rights and thus could be more robust, according to journalists’ and civil society groups. The Philippines is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for journalists, but the government has begun working with its NHRI on a multi-stakeholder mechanism to protect them. Since 1986, 234 journalists and media professionals in the Philippines have been killed, including 19 after President Rodrigo Duterte took charge of the administration in October 2016. According to media and civil society groups, state agencies have allegedly been involved in 114 attacks and threats against journalists and civil society advocates who had first been “red-tagged” by the authorities for their supposed links with armed communist insurgents and/or “terrorism”. In July 2018, the Philippine Commission on Human Rights (CHR) adopted a resolution to form a taskforce with a mandate to monitor and investigate media-related extrajudicial killings. This led to more collaboration between the CHR, media and civil society groups. As a result, the Philippine Action Plan on the Safety of Journalists was launched in November 2019, as part of a threeyear European Union project that seeks to establish a national multi-stakeholder mechanism for the safety of journalists." (Executive summary, pages 9-10) more

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Narrative Spices: An Innovational Guide for Flavourful Human Rights
Key Guides

Lucas Paulson

Bogotá; Washington, DC: JustLabs; Fund for Global Human Rights (2022), 66 pp.

"This document is a different kind of guide. Meaning, it's less of a guide and more of an invitation. An invitational guide, if you will. For us, narrative research has become one door into a bigger, older, interrelated question about how we inspire one another to change. This document tries to conn ... more

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Human Rights and Technological Change: Conflicts and Convergences After 1945

Michael Homberg, Benjamin Möckel (eds.)

Göttingen: Wallstein Verlag (2022), 392 pp.

"The volume analyses the ambivalent relationship between human rights and modern technologies since 1945. Tools of suppression or agents of emancipation? Modern technologies have become a major subject of human rights policy. Surveillance technology, the military use of drones, and the possibilities ... more

Narrative Spices: An Innovational Guide for Flavourful Human Rights Key Guides

Narrative Spices: An Innovational Guide for Flavourful Human Rights
Key Guides