Human Rights at International Borders: Exploring New Technologies, their Risks and Opportunities

In a nutshell

The OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) is inviting applications for a training course for National Human Rights Institutions in Central-Eastern-Northern Europe, South-Eastern Europe and the Northern-Mediterranean Region.

What

The two-day training course helps National Human Rights Institutions in Central-Eastern-Northern Europe, South-Eastern Europe and the Northern-Mediterranean Region to assess the human rights implications of border technologies and to enhance their capacity to monitor human rights at borders.

Topics addressed during the training include: What new technologies are used in border control and migration management? How can the human rights implications of using these technologies at borders be assessed and monitored? How can National Human Rights Institutions effectively monitor and report on harmful border practices such as so called “pushbacks”? What methods can National Human Rights Institutions use to collect and verify information at borders, including with the use of new technologies?

How

The training is based on interactive learning methods and requires all trainees' full-time presence and active participation. If accepted to the training, participants cannot carry out their other work-related activities during the training sessions. The course is conducted in English by experienced trainers with proven gender and cultural sensitivity. ODIHR covers training materials, travel costs, accommodation and lunch. Dinner is not provided.

Who

Only NHRI staff members nominated by their institution can apply. Up to two staff members in the eligible NHRIs in Central-Eastern-Northern Europe, South-Eastern Europe and the Northern-Mediterranean Region can be nominated by their institution.

Twenty participants will be selected in a competitive process according to the following criteria:

• NHRI staff members working in one of these three areas:
  • Migration and border issues
  • New-technologies and human rights
  • National Preventive Mechanisms
• Proven experience and high motivation to carry out human rights-related activities in the migration and refugee context;
• Relevance of the training for applicants’ current and potential future human rights activities and readiness to put the obtained knowledge into practice and to transfer the newly acquired knowledge, skills and competencies to colleagues;
• Commitment to actively engage in the sessions and exchange with other participants throughout the entire duration; readiness to set aside other work activities during the two days;
• Excellent command of English (interpretation will not be provided during the event).

Invitation to a follow-up event

Participants are also invited to join a roundtable discussion: Instrumentalization of migration: What role for the NHRIs? where we will explore the crucial part NHRIs can play in addressing this pressing issue and safeguarding human rights. The event will take place in the morning of 26 March 2025, is organized by ODIHR in the same location and will be concluded by a networking lunch. Applicants should specify their attendance in the roundtable in their application for the training course.

Application

Participation in this training course is by invitation only. Candidates will be informed about the outcome of the selection process, by 21 February 2025.

Questions?

If you have any questions about the training content or the selection procedure, please contact [email protected] and [email protected].