UN resolution to protect human-rights defenders
A new UN resolution has been described as a digital milestone by NGOs for its strong stance on human-rights defenders and technology.
In April, the UN Human Rights Council adopted the resolution, which tackles threats posed by new and emerging technologies.
Led by Norway and backed by more than 50 countries, the resolution was passed by consensus during the Council’s 58th session on 4 April.
The resolution is the first of its kind to explicitly address the dangers of biometric mass surveillance, internet shutdowns, and spyware.
Key elements
The resolution calls on governments to ensure that facial recognition and other biometric tools are not used for mass surveillance and are only deployed in line with international human rights law.
It expands the scope of digital rights by addressing not just internet shutdowns, but also subtler forms of censorship, such as throttling and content filtering.
Governments are encouraged to support community-led internet initiatives to bridge the digital divide, especially in rural and underserved areas.
For the first time, states are urged to halt the use and sale of spyware that cannot be operated in compliance with human rights standards.
The resolution also calls for action against strategic lawsuits aimed at silencing public participation.
The final resolution also makes indirect reference to the growing trend of governments targeting critics abroad.