Surveillance and civic space: protecting peaceful assembly and human rights defenders

As part of the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference, ODIHR is bringing together experts and practitioners to discuss how surveillance affects peaceful assembly, human rights defenders and civic space, and how to ensure its use complies with international human rights standards.

Artificial intelligence, advanced image analysis and automated data processing are expanding authorities’ ability to monitor public and online activities and identify those involved. These technologies can discourage participation in peaceful assemblies, put human rights defenders at risk and restrict the space for advocacy and public debate.

The discussion will examine forms of surveillance used during protests and to monitor human rights defenders, and consider how public authorities, national human rights institutions, independent monitors and civil society can strengthen transparency, oversight and accountability. Speakers will explore promising legislative initiatives across the OSCE region, the role of national human rights institutions in overseeing surveillance practices, and examples of effective civil society action.

During the event, ODIHR will launch its publication Surveillance of peaceful assemblies in the OSCE region: human rights implications and strategies for independent monitoring.

• Anete Erdmane, Human Rights Adviser/Monitoring and Response Co-ordinator, ODIHR
• Igor Bandović, Director, Belgrade Centre for Security Policy
• Cezary Węgliński, Head of the Fundamental Personal and Political Rights Division, Office of the Commissioner for Human Rights of Poland
• Representative of the Swiss Delegation (to be confirmed)

Moderator: Priska Anna Babuin, Human Rights Adviser, ODIHR

The side event is open to registered participants of the 2026 Warsaw Human Dimension Conference.

For questions about this side event, please contact Anete Erdmane, ODIHR Human Rights Adviser at anete.erdmane@odihr.pl.