Promotion and protection of digital rights: a pathway to the digital future

Knowledge Graph of Debate

Session report

Radka Sibille

The European Union (EU) and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights have launched a new collaboration to address human rights in the digital sphere. This collaboration aims to focus on areas such as human rights online, digital space, and digital technologies. It is viewed as a positive development and aligns with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.

Leading this collaboration are Peggy Higgs, representing the thematic engagement special procedures and development division, as well as the right to development division in the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OECHR), and Peter Merian, who serves as the team leader on digital governance in the European Commission’s Directorate General International Partnerships. Their involvement demonstrates the expertise and commitment of both the EU and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in addressing human rights issues in the digital realm.

The EU also emphasizes the importance of protecting human rights in its digital policy, as evidenced by various EU documents, such as the European Commission’s digital compass 2030 and the EU’s declaration on digital rights and principles. This commitment to human rights aligns with SDG 16, emphasizing the significance of human rights in the digital sphere.

Additionally, the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships plays a significant role in the EU’s policies on development and partnerships with third countries and international organizations. The Directorate General INTPA, responsible for these policies, seeks to reduce poverty, ensure sustainable development, and uphold human rights and the rule of law on a global scale.

In summary, the collaboration between the EU and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlights their shared focus on human rights and partnerships for global development. This collaboration seeks to address human rights issues in the digital realm, promote peace and justice, and strengthen institutions. It contributes positively to the advancement of the SDGs and the promotion of human rights worldwide.

Audience

The analysis provided highlights the concerning issue of human rights violations in Russia. It explains that the government in Russia is utilizing technology, specifically big tech platforms, both local and global, to suppress civil society and silence dissenting voices. This is seen as a clear violation of human rights and restricts freedom of expression.

The argument put forward in the analysis is that the United Nations (UN) should play a more proactive role in engaging with countries, such as Russia, where human rights are being violated. By increasing their involvement, the presence of the UN could potentially create a more conducive environment for civil society to operate effectively in Russia. The analysis suggests that this engagement and collaboration are vital for addressing and rectifying the human rights situation in the country.

Supporting this argument, the analysis highlights the interpretation of Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by Russian officials, which is seen as narrow. This suggests a lack of adherence to international human rights standards within the country. The presence of the UN could help influence a more inclusive and comprehensive interpretation of human rights laws in Russia.

Furthermore, the analysis expresses hope that any program aimed at addressing human rights violations includes companies from Russia and China, rather than being focused solely on the European Union (EU). This emphasis on inclusivity is important as it recognizes the need for a global effort and collaboration to promote and protect human rights. It also underscores the importance of diverse perspectives and contributions in addressing such complex and sensitive issues.

In conclusion, the analysis highlights the urgency of addressing human rights violations in Russia, particularly the government’s use of technology to suppress civil society voices. It argues for the UN to take a more proactive approach in engaging with Russia and other countries experiencing similar violations. By doing so, the UN’s presence can foster a more conducive environment for civil society to function effectively. Additionally, the analysis stresses the importance of inclusivity and the need for international collaboration to protect and promote human rights.

Peter Mariën

The European Union (EU) has announced a collaboration with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in the field of human and digital rights. The EU considers the OHCHR to be the appropriate organisation for this collaborative effort and has committed to providing 4 million euros in funding. This partnership was publicly announced at the Internet Governance Forum 2023 in Kyoto.

In addition to this collaboration, the EU supports a multi-stakeholder approach in addressing various matters, especially in standard setting. They firmly believe that involving relevant stakeholders is essential in achieving a successful and comprehensive outcome. The EU takes pride in being pioneers in policy and law setting, showcasing their commitment to actively shaping regulations and standards in these areas.

Furthermore, the EU places great importance on engaging and discussing principles with big tech companies. Recognising their significant influence over billions of people worldwide on a daily basis, the EU views it as crucial to ensure that big tech leaders are involved in shaping society and advancing common goals.

The EU also advocates for the mainstreaming of policies within the UN system. They firmly believe that incorporating these policies into the UN framework will enhance their effectiveness and impact. In this regard, the OHCHR plays a pivotal role in spearheading policy processes within the UN, further emphasising the importance of incorporating these policies on a global scale.

Peter Marien, a prominent figure in the field, has underscored the significance of multilateral cooperation in addressing global issues. He asserts that dealing with challenges that exceed the capabilities of individual countries or regional blocs requires the concerted efforts of multiple nations. Marien’s statements highlight the need for collaboration and partnership in international relations and foreign policy.

Moreover, securing the right to access information is a crucial human right that needs to be protected. Marien has observed a worrying increase in incidents where access to information is either blocked or manipulated worldwide. He highlights the disruptive nature and risks associated with such limitations on access to information.

Additionally, Marien expresses concern regarding the rise of disinformation and misinformation online. The acceleration of this phenomenon has led to increased levels of societal distrust and hatred, which, in turn, poses significant challenges to peace, justice, and strong institutions.

Overall, the EU’s collaboration with the OHCHR on human and digital rights, as well as their support for a multi-stakeholder approach, engagement with big tech, mainstreaming of policies within the UN system, and recognition of the importance of multilateral cooperation and access to information, highlights their commitment to upholding and advancing global standards and values. These efforts contribute to the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Peggy Hicks

The discussion surrounding the application of human rights to the use and impact of digital technologies has gained significant traction and interest globally. There is a growing recognition of the need to understand how these rights can be upheld in the digital age. This recognition is supported by the fact that collaboration between different stakeholders enables more effective engagement in this area. The positive sentiment towards this need emphasises the importance of integrating and applying digital rights by both states and companies.

States are being urged to develop legislation that integrates digital rights and to ensure the proper implementation of digital public infrastructure. By doing so, they can create an environment that respects human rights in the digital space. Companies, on the other hand, require practical guidance on their responsibilities under the UN guiding principles on business and human rights. This guidance will help them navigate the complexities of the digital landscape and ensure that human rights are protected.

Civil society is identified as a crucial actor in reporting on, monitoring, and responding to threats in the digital sphere. However, civil society itself is under threat, making it more important than ever to empower them with digital tools to better protect themselves and their work. By leveraging these tools, civil society can actively respond to the challenges they face.

The United Nations (UN) is taking steps to develop a human rights due diligence guidance system, which will ensure that the UN itself upholds the highest standards in terms of human rights impacts of digital technologies. This demonstrates the UN’s commitment to maintaining and promoting human rights in the digital world.

Despite these positive developments, there is a notable difficulty for human rights expertise to be included in standard-setting conversations. Organizations involved in shaping technical standards related to digital technology often lack representation from human rights experts. Efforts are being made to identify barriers and best practices to include human rights experts in these conversations. Collaboration with civil society and academics is also sought to enable better participation in these processes.

The UN can play a vital role in creating a space that allows civil society to voice their expertise and knowledge of the impacts of legislation and digital developments. This highlights the importance of creating an inclusive environment where civil society’s perspectives are valued and considered in decision-making processes.

Moreover, the importance of involving not only large tech companies but also small and medium-sized tech companies in discussions about human rights cannot be overstated. The BTEC project has recognized the significance of this and is implementing initiatives in Africa, Asia, and other regions. The openness and engagement of companies globally, beyond just Western ones, in prioritizing the protection of human rights is a positive development.

In conclusion, there is a clear understanding of the need to comprehend and uphold human rights in the digital era. The integration of digital rights by states and companies, the active involvement of civil society, the UN’s commitment to human rights due diligence, and the recognition of the importance of involving diverse tech companies all contribute to the collective effort of protecting human rights in the digital realm. However, challenges remain, particularly in incorporating human rights expertise in standard-setting conversations, and addressing these challenges is crucial for progress moving forward.

Speakers