The Council of Europe publishes the “Report of the Rapporteurs – Workshop on Human Rights and Neurotechnologies”, the outcome of a workshop organised by the Steering Committee for Human Rights in the fields of Biomedicine and Health (CDBIO) on 18 November 2025.
As neurotechnologies, such as brain-computer interfaces, neuroimplants, and advanced brain imaging, are developing rapidly, these tools open up new perspectives but also raise crucial challenges in terms of privacy, integrity, and equality. The objective of the workshop was to examine the existing human rights legal framework with regard to these challenges.
The report highlights the evolving strength of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), described as a “living instrument” thanks to the dynamic interpretation by the European Court of Human Rights. Articles 3 (prohibition of torture), 6 (right to a fair trial), 8 (right to respect for private life), 9 (freedom of thought), and 10 (freedom of expression) play a central role in protecting against the specific risks associated with neurotechnologies.
The rapporteurs underline the ability of the existing legal framework to adapt to technological innovation, while stressing the persistence of major open questions, such as the difficulty of identifying which right applies to which neurotechnological intervention, the urgent need for proactive regulation and anticipation, and the growing influence of private companies, especially outside medical contexts. Special attention must be given to vulnerable groups and children, whose rights may be particularly at risk.
The rapporteurs call for strengthened intergovernmental action within the Council of Europe, development of targeted recommendations, systematic human rights impact assessments, and enhanced international coordination.
To read the full conclusions, and action proposals, consult the report.
Report of the Rapporteurs – Workshop on Human Rights and Neurotechnologies
