Geneva International Centre for Justice - GICJ

06/07/2026

ناجي حرج: العراق ملزم دولياً بمكافحة الفساد، وإحترام حقوق مواطنيه في العيش الكريم
لقاء عن إجراءات العراق لمكافحة الفساد -- الإثنين 06 تموز 2026
⭕️ إجراءات مكافحة الفساد في العراق كسرت حاجز الخوف في ملاحقة المسؤولين الفاسدين، وفضحت إستغلال بعض البرلمانيين لحصانتهم، البرلمانية في سرقة قوت الشعب
⭕️ إذا كانت حملة مكافحة الفساد حقيقية، فيجب ان لا تستثني الفاسدين الكبار، فهذا هو الإختبار الحقيقي لنزاهة الإجراءات

⭕️ الفساد لا يقتصر على سرقة الأموال، بل يمتدّ الى تشكيل مراكز نفوذ موازية لأجهزة الدولة من ميليشيات وفصائل مسلّحة تستخدم الضغط والإبتزاز ضد المواطنين وهو ما يجب ان ينتهي ايضاً
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#العراق

اعتبر ناجي حرج، المدير التنفيذي لمركز جنيف الدولي للعدالة، حملة رئيس الحكومة العراقية، علي الزيدي لمحاربة الفساد بأنها تبقى "خطوة مهمة لأنها كسرت حاجز الخوف والصمت...

03/07/2026

𝐇𝐑𝐂 𝟔𝟐: 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐃𝐢𝐚𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐮𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐂 𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐤𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐦 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐚.

𝐵𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝑇𝑖𝑚𝑏𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑖 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

Opening today’s session, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk declared it a day of mourning following a devastating Russian strike on Kyiv, calling it one of the deadliest attacks on the city since the full-scale invasion began and issuing an urgent demand for an immediate ceasefire.

His somber opening set the stage for the interactive dialogue held on July 3, 2026, during the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, which reviewed the High Commissioner’s oral presentation on Ukraine and the Secretary-General’s interim report on the human rights situation in Ukraine and occupied Crimea.

Russia was not present in the room, leaving its seat empty and refusing to face international scrutiny. During the dialogue, Ukraine stated that Russia continues to systematically destroy its cultural heritage, bombarding churches, schools, and museums, in a deliberate attempt to erase the identity of a people who have lived there for centuries.

The live discussion brought the stark realities of the UN report to the forefront of global attention. Delegates emphasized that occupation is ultimately measured by fear, a reality where basic access to food, water, and medicine becomes a daily battle for survival, and where citizens' own homes are no longer safe.
Delegations have condemned the systematic use of torture against 92% of civilian detainees, forced passportization, and the ongoing illegal conscription of Ukrainian men.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉) strongly condemns these ongoing violations. We echo the Secretary-General's call for immediate, unfettered access for international monitoring mechanisms, an end to forced conscription, and the cessation of all arbitrary detentions. GICJ urges the international community to take decisive action to ensure accountability and justice for all victims.

29/06/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝟔𝟐 – 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟕:𝟎𝟎

𝐵𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝐺𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑧𝑧𝑜 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

Join me at the side event: “The Phenomenon of Mercenaries and its Impact on Human Rights and Peoples: a Legal and Economic Perspective.”
📍The event will take place in Room XI at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Monday 29th of June, from 16:00 to 17:00.

This discussion will focus on the impact of mercenary activities on human rights and peoples, examining the issue from both legal and economic perspectives and exploring the broader implications for justice, governance, and international accountability.

I am honored to welcome distinguished speakers, including:

- Mr. Abdelgawad Ahmed – Chairperson of ACSFT & Human Rights Advocate
- Mr. Mekkaoui Benaissa – Secretary-General of the Arab Lawyers Union
- Mr. Tariq Khosa – Chair of the Centre for Governance Research, Pakistan
- Mr. Tarek Abdelfattah - Expert in Human Rights and African Peoples’ Rights
- Mr. Mohammed Almaswari – President of the International Yemen Peace Team
- Mr. Mehmet Sukru Guzel - Founder President of Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies

At 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉), we are pleased to support our colleague in this important event and contribute to the discussion on protecting human rights and promoting justice through international cooperation.

29/06/2026

𝐇𝐑𝐂 𝟔𝟐: 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐨

𝐵𝑦 𝑁𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑛𝑖 𝐺𝑢𝑝𝑡𝑎 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

On Monday, June 29 2026, at thef 21st meeting of the 62nd session of the UN Human Rights Council, a stark warning was issued during the Enhanced Interactive Dialogue on the Oral Update by the Commission of Inquiry on the North and South Kivu Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Chair of the Commission of Inquiry, Arnauld Akodjenou, stressed the need for a credible, independent, and victim-centered investigation, as reports continue to point to grave abuses against civilians.

The session featured interventions from the Commission of Inquiry, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), and Samuel Mbemba Kabuya, Minister for Human Rights of the DRC. Their statements highlighted a worsening human rights and humanitarian emergency in North and South Kivu, shaped by ongoing conflict, displacement, disease, and insecurity.

Among the main issues raised were conflict-related sexual violence, including against women and girls; forced recruitment of children; unlawful killings, arbitrary arrests, and attacks on schools, hospitals, and humanitarian actors; and growing concern over shrinking civic space and threats against human rights defenders and journalists. Speakers also underscored the impact of the Ebola outbreak, which is compounding civilian suffering and obstructing humanitarian access.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉) welcomes the efforts of the Commission on Inquiry for their contribution in providing a comprehensive update on the situation in the Kivu regions of DR Congo. GICJ continues to extend its unwavering solidarity with the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo, highlighting the need to curb the human rights violations actively taking place, including but not limited to rampant sexual violence.
GICJ emphasises the urgent need for accountability, safe humanitarian access, stronger support for the Commission’s mandate, and meaningful progress in peace efforts. Victims in eastern DR Congo need not only attention, but truth, protection, justice, and sustained international action.

29/06/2026

𝐇𝐑𝐂𝟔𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐢𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐞𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐳𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐚

𝐵𝑦 𝐴𝑙𝑖𝑐𝑗𝑎 𝐿𝑎𝑛𝑜𝑐ℎ𝑎 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

“Allow me to begin by expressing my most sincere condolences to those people who have lost family members and loved ones in the earthquakes which hit on Wednesday,” stated Mr. Volker Türk, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, during the Presentation of reports of the High Commissioner. This statement was followed by an interactive dialogue on the situation of human rights in the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela at the 20th meeting of the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council on 26 June 2026.

Mr. Türk highlighted significant improvements in the human rights situation in Venezuela over the last year, including the release of over 1,200 detainees since May 2025 and the implementation of the 2026 Amnesty Law, which has benefited more than 8,000 people. However, arbitrary detentions, lack of due process, deaths in custody, poor conditions in prisons, and impunity for past human rights violations remain serious concerns. Venezuela’s economic and humanitarian crises have deepened, comprising soaring inflation, widespread food insecurity, inadequate healthcare, and sanctions affecting access to medical supplies. The High Commissioner called for reform of the judicial and security sectors to ensure accountability, transparency and reconciliation, expanded civic space, independent oversight of detention facilities, cooperation with international accountability mechanisms, and a reassessment of sanctions.

During the debate, Member States expressed condolences and solidarity following the earthquakes. Many commended the release of detainees, the Amnesty Law, and the renewed engagement with the United Nations human rights mechanisms. However, they stressed that the arbitrary detention, restrictions on civic space, and widespread impunity remain serious concerns. Several delegations, NGOs, and NHRIs called for the unconditional release of all remaining detainees, comprehensive institutional reforms, and accountability for violations.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉) acknowledges the recent improvements in the human rights situation in Venezuela. However, GICJ is concerned by the continued erosion of the rule of law, shrinking civic and democratic space, and ongoing humanitarian and economic crises, disproportionately affecting Indigenous communities. GICJ calls for the release of all arbitrary detainees, greater transparency, and improved access to justice and accountability mechanisms, in line with the recommendations of the High Commissioner.

26/06/2026

𝐇𝐑𝐂𝟔𝟐 : 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬

𝐵𝑦 𝐶𝑙𝑎𝑟𝑎 𝐶ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑐𝑎𝑖𝑟 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

Millions of people around the world are being forced from their homes by armed conflict, violence, and other crises, often facing repeated displacement, insecurity, and severe violations of their fundamental rights. As contemporary warfare increasingly affects civilian populations and destroys essential infrastructure, internally displaced persons remain among the most vulnerable groups in need of protection and durable solutions.

On 25 June 2026, during the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council, the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Paula Gaviria Betancur, focused on internal displacement in armed conflict and the implementation of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Presenting her report, the Special Rapporteur highlighted that 82.2 million people were living in internal displacement in 2025, including 68.6 million displaced by conflict and violence. She stressed that violations of IHL including attacks on civilians, destruction of civilian infrastructure, obstruction of humanitarian assistance, and sexual and gender-based violence continue to drive displacement worldwide.

The report also examined the severe displacement crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where armed conflict, competition over natural resources, climate-related factors, and governance challenges have displaced millions.

During the dialogue, several delegations highlighted situations in their own countries and regions. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) described the repeated displacement of Palestinians in Gaza, where civilians have been forced to flee multiple times amid widespread destruction and shortages of essential services. Lebanon referred to the displacement of more than 1 million people following Israeli attacks and repeated evacuation orders. The Marshall Islands emphasised the long-term displacement of communities affected by nuclear testing and environmental contamination, while Mozambique highlighted efforts to address displacement caused by terrorism and extreme weather events.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉) remains deeply concerned by the growing gap between legal protections and the reality faced by internally displaced persons. GICJ calls on all parties to armed conflicts to fully respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and humanitarian personnel, ensure accountability for violations, and support safe, voluntary, dignified, and sustainable solutions for all displaced persons.

26/06/2026

𝐒𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: 𝐇𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝟔𝟐 – 𝐒𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟗𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞, 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝟏𝟔:𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟕:𝟎𝟎

𝐵𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑎 𝐺𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑧𝑧𝑜 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

Join me at the side event: “The Phenomenon of Mercenaries and its Impact on Human Rights and Peoples: a Legal and Economic Perspective.”
📍The event will take place in Room XI at the Palais des Nations in Geneva on Monday 29th of June, from 16:00 to 17:00.

This discussion will focus on the impact of mercenary activities on human rights and peoples, examining the issue from both legal and economic perspectives and exploring the broader implications for justice, governance, and international accountability.
I am honored to welcome distinguished speakers, including:
- Mr. Abdelgawad Ahmed – Chairperson of ACSFT & Human Rights Advocate
- Mr. Mekkaoui Benaissa – Secretary-General of the Arab Lawyers Union
- Mr. Tariq Khosa – Chair of the Centre for Governance Research, Pakistan
- Mr. Tarek Abdelfattah - Expert in Human Rights and African Peoples’ Rights
- Mr. Mohammed Almaswari – President of the International Yemen Peace Team
- Mr. Mehmet Sukru Guzel - Founder President of Centre for Peace and Reconciliation Studies

At 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉), we are pleased to support our colleague in this important event and contribute to the discussion on protecting human rights and promoting justice through international cooperation.

25/06/2026

𝐇𝐑𝐂𝟔𝟐: 𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐑𝐮𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐚𝐰 𝐰𝐞𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲: 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐮𝐦 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬

𝐵𝑦 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑘 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

“Attacks on democracy increasingly target justice systems. Appointment procedures are one of the places where those pressures appear most clearly,” stated Ms Margaret Satterthwaite, the Special Rapporteur (SR) on the independence of judges and lawyers during the Interactive Dialogue (ID) at the 62nd session of the Human Rights Council on 25th June 2026. She began by referring to her report on her Visit to Guatemala (A/HRC/62/43/Add.1) in May of 2025. The Representative of Guatemala welcomed the open discussion and critique voiced by the SR and asserted that Guatemala aims to build solid, transparent institutions that safeguard judicial independence.

In the SR’s thematic report on Principles for judicial appointments (A/HRC/62/43), she set out principles for judicial appointments and urged states to examine their appointment systems in light of these principles to identify existing gaps. During the ID, the Representative of Belgium asked what good practices considered these principles. The SR responded by pointing to transparency and public participation, which help address the lack of public trust and confidence in the judiciary, a primary concern noted by several other states throughout the ID.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉) is concerned about the increased instrumentalisation of the justice system, influenced by political interests, economic power and personal connections, which the SR addressed in her position paper “Reclaiming justice: A guide to recognising and combatting Instrumentalisation” (A/HRC/62/CRP.3). GICJ calls on all states to critically examine their judicial appointment systems to uphold the right to a fair trial and the rule of law, in line with the principles set out by the SR in her thematic report. It is important that these principles are engaged holistically and comprehensively to avoid leaving important gaps or inequalities unaddressed and to abide by International Human Rights Law.

25/06/2026

𝐇𝐑𝐂𝟔𝟐: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐕𝐢𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐁𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝

𝐵𝑦 𝐽𝑎𝑣𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 𝑄𝑎𝑑𝑖𝑟 / 𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

Pursuant to Human Rights Council Resolutions 6/30 and 59/20, the Human Rights Council convened the Annual Full-Day Discussion on the Human Rights of Women during its sixty-second session on 24 June 2026. The discussion featured two thematic panels addressing violence against women and girls, including domestic and digital violence, and women's equal participation in diplomacy and decision-making.
Panelists reaffirmed that domestic violence is not a private matter but a serious human rights violation requiring stronger laws, effective implementation, survivor-centred services and accountability for perpetrators. They highlighted the growing threat of technology-facilitated violence, including AI-generated abuse, alongside the impact of domestic violence on children, financial dependence, unequal family laws, barriers to reporting and the severe restrictions imposed on women and girls in Afghanistan.

The second panel, commemorating the International Day of Women in Diplomacy, emphasized that education, decent work, economic empowerment and equal opportunities are essential to increasing women's participation in leadership and decision-making. Speakers also stressed the importance of sharing caregiving responsibilities, eliminating workplace discrimination and stereotypes and ensuring that legal reforms are effectively implemented through cooperation and the exchange of good practices among States.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 welcomes the commemoration of the International Day of Women in Diplomacy and reaffirms that violence against women is a global human rights concern. Cultural, religious or social norms must never justify abuse or deny women access to justice. GICJ supports integrated survivor-centred services that provide legal aid, medical care, shelters and psychosocial assistance under one roof to improve reporting and protection. It further believes that leadership opportunities should be based on merit, capability and equal opportunity, while recognizing that temporary special measures may be necessary to achieve substantive equality. GICJ calls on States, international organizations, and civil society to strengthen cooperation, share good practices, and advance women's rights globally.

24/06/2026

𝐇𝐑𝐂𝟔𝟐: 𝐀 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐮𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐠𝐞

𝐵𝑦 𝑃𝑖𝑎 𝑀𝑢𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛/𝐺𝐼𝐶𝐽

The current era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) carries both promises and threats for the rights of women and girls. Riddled with misogynistic bias and able to produce deepfake intimate imagery, AI remains unregulated.

These were the critical concerns voiced by Claudia Flores, the Chair of the Working Group on the Discrimination of women and girls, on June 24 2026 at the 62nd Session of the Human Rights Council. During the 15th meeting, the Working Group presented its reports on women’s rights in relation to digital technologies, and its report on Zimbabwe on its visit in August 2025.

The first report outlined a vision of an AI founded in gender equality and universal human dignity while condemning how current digital gender violence, accentuated by AI, is causing women to retreat from civic life. The Interactive Dialogue echoed this concern, iterating how this harm is compounded by a lack of legislative accountability as states outsource their human rights obligations to the private sector.

In parallel, the Working Group was complementary of Zimbabwe's progress towards gender equality, acknowledging the state’s 2013 Constitution which explicitly addresses the need to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women. However, the Working group centred its concerns on the distinct lack of implementation of gender equality initiatives due to weak enforcement, budget issues and entrenched patriarchal norms.

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐚 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 (𝐆𝐈𝐂𝐉), acknowledges artificial intelligence’s potential to create opportunities and improve access to information for women and girls. However, GICJ is concerned that current AI and digital platforms are being built on pre-existing structural inequalities. GICJ also urges the international community to adopt a transformative, gender responsive approach both to AI development and AI regulation. In parallel, GICJ likewise calls for Zimbabwe’s continued cooperation with UN bodies to both strengthen its enforcement of anti-discrimination initiatives, and to support survivors of gender based violence and exclusion.