HuMENA for Human Rights and Civic Engagement invites applications for a three-day practical training on engagement with United Nations human rights mechanisms. The training will cover advocacy planning, the preparation of submissions and recommendations, risk assessment, and the identification of appropriate protection pathways.
The training will take place online and in Arabic on 26, 27 and 28 October 2026. It will bring together approximately 15 human rights defenders working in or on Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria, Egypt or Iraq, including defenders based in those countries and those working from exile or within diaspora communities.
About the training
Effective engagement with the UN human rights system requires more than familiarity with its procedures. It requires a clear advocacy objective, a sound understanding of which mechanism to use and when, well-structured evidence and recommendations, and a realistic assessment of the actors who can influence the issue.
It also requires careful consideration of the risks that may arise from public visibility, sharing information or engaging with international institutions.
The training will address the practical decisions that defenders face when preparing concrete engagement with a UN human rights mechanism. It will also examine how advocacy can continue when travel, public visibility or direct engagement are limited, and when international advocacy may create security, digital or psychosocial risks. This includes transnational repression affecting defenders in exile, as well as their families, colleagues and networks inside their countries of origin.
What the training will cover
Over the three days, participants will work on:
- Developing an advocacy strategy based on a clear objective and an analysis of power, influence and relevant stakeholders.
- Identifying the UN mechanism best suited to the issue, context and intended outcome.
- Using UN Special Procedures, including communications and urgent appeals.
- Preparing reports and submissions to UN Treaty Bodies.
- Understanding the Universal Periodic Review cycle, preparing stakeholder submissions and drafting effective recommendations.
- Engaging with the Human Rights Council through oral statements, bilateral meetings and remote advocacy.
- Developing targeted messages, building coalitions and assigning roles within a wider advocacy process.
- Identifying protection pathways and reducing the risks of reprisals, unwanted exposure or the disclosure of the identities of defenders, victims and witnesses.
The training will combine case-based discussions, drafting and planning exercises, and work in small groups. Participants will be able to develop advocacy objectives and approaches relevant to their own contexts without providing names, sensitive case details or information that could place them or others at risk.
Practical follow-up
This training is part of HuMENA’s wider work to support safer and more effective engagement between human rights defenders and the UN human rights system. Following the training, HuMENA may invite a limited number of participants to contribute to advocacy activities connected to forthcoming UN processes, including work related to the Human Rights Council.
This follow-up may include jointly developing an advocacy plan, preparing or reviewing written submissions and key messages, preparing for meetings with international stakeholders, or taking part in selected advocacy activities remotely or in person.
Any advocacy plan will be developed with the participants concerned. It will reflect the objectives of the issue or case on which they are working, while aligning with HuMENA’s mandate, priorities and ongoing advocacy.
Participation in this follow-up will depend on the relevance of the issue to forthcoming UN opportunities and timelines, the readiness of the advocacy work, an assessment of risks, diversity within the group and the resources available. Acceptance into the training does not guarantee participation in subsequent advocacy activities. Follow-up participation does not automatically involve travel or in-person engagement.
Who can apply?
The call is open to human rights defenders, civil society workers, members of human rights groups and initiatives, lawyers, journalists and researchers whose current or planned work includes engagement with UN human rights mechanisms.
Applications may be submitted independently. Applicants do not need to be affiliated with a registered organisation or to have advanced prior knowledge of UN mechanisms.
Eligibility is based on the applicant’s substantive connection to one of the target countries, not their current place of residence. Defenders living in exile or within diaspora communities are eligible where their work, case or advocacy priority relates to Lebanon, Bahrain, Syria, Egypt or Iraq.
Applicants should:
- Work in human rights or human rights advocacy.
- Have work, a case or an advocacy priority connected to one of the five target countries.
- Have a current or anticipated advocacy objective that can be developed during the training without disclosing sensitive information.
- Be available to participate throughout all three training days.
In selecting participants, HuMENA will consider geographic and professional diversity, as well as different levels of experience. Priority will be given to defenders working in restrictive or high-risk civic space contexts, those based in exile or diaspora communities, people working through smaller or under-resourced organisations and initiatives, individuals exposed to risk because of their work or international engagement, and defenders from communities and constituencies that remain underrepresented in international advocacy spaces.
Applicants will not be required to provide sensitive personal or security information, or to demonstrate that they belong to any group covered by the priority criteria.
Training arrangements
- Dates: 26, 27 and 28 October 2026
- Time: Approximately 9:00 to 17:00 CET, with breaks during the day
- Format: Online
- Working language: Arabic
Training materials will be provided in Arabic where an Arabic version is available. Some reference texts and resources may be provided in English, with an Arabic version or explanation where possible.
Participants are expected to attend all three days.
Applicants may confidentially inform HuMENA of any requirements relating to accessibility, connectivity or safe participation. Such requirements will not negatively affect the assessment of their applications.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through the following form: Click here.
The deadline for applications is Wednesday, 14 October 2026 at 23:59 CET.
As places are limited, HuMENA may close the application process before the stated deadline if it receives a sufficient number of eligible applications. Applicants are therefore advised to apply as early as possible.
HuMENA will contact selected applicants by 16 October 2026. Selected participants will be asked to confirm their participation no later than 18 October.
Information submitted through the application form will be used only to select participants and organise the training. Applications will be reviewed by a limited number of HuMENA staff. Applicants should not include the names of victims or witnesses, or sensitive details relating to individual cases.
