The National Center for Human Rights, in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, hosted a significant two-day discussion session in Amman on Monday, focusing on the intersection of national human rights institutions and emerging digital technologies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The event featured discussions on critical topics such as international human rights standards in the digital era, the role of technology in supporting human rights, and strategies for national institutions to protect digital rights while promoting innovation. The goal was to encourage dialogue on the evolving human rights landscape, where rapid digital advancements present both opportunities and challenges in safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.
Samar Hajj Hassan, Chairperson of the Center’s Board of Trustees, highlighted the significance of the 76th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, underscoring its importance in protecting human rights globally. She addressed the growing challenges within the digital realm, urging collective action to uphold fundamental freedoms.
Hajj Hassan referenced key international resolutions, such as the Human Rights Council’s Resolution 20/8 of 2012, which recognized digital rights as an essential component of the global human rights framework. She emphasized that while digital technologies foster communication and innovation, they also pose risks, including privacy violations, cybercrimes, misinformation, and internet censorship, which can undermine freedom of expression and social cohesion.
She called for international cooperation and effective governance to balance technological innovation with human rights, stressing the vital role of national institutions in monitoring digital violations, analyzing technological impacts, and developing policies that protect individual rights.
Mohammed Nsour, Head of the MENA Section at the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, discussed the region’s technological transformation over the past two decades, driven by advances in artificial intelligence and internet technologies. He acknowledged the opportunities these innovations offer in enhancing public freedoms and access to information, but also the challenges they pose in protecting personal data and freedom of expression.
Nsour urged national human rights institutions to adopt a dual approach: monitoring the impact of new technologies on individuals’ rights and ensuring that their use aligns with international human rights standards. He stressed the need for legislation to address digital violations and called for collaboration with global bodies to create guidelines for the ethical use of technology.
