Standards and Human Rights
Date: October 21, 2024
Location: Room C1, WTSA-24, New Delhi, India
On October 21, 2024, the ITU hosted a compelling side event at WTSA-24 in New Delhi to address a vital question in today’s digital landscape: How can ICT standards ensure that human rights are upheld as new and emerging technologies develop? Co-organized by the ITU alongside the European Commission, Czech Republic, France, and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), this event gathered experts across governments, civil society, the private sector, and international organizations.
Key Insights from the Event
Moderator’s Opening Remarks
Ms. Wendy Teresa Goico Campagna, the event’s moderator, set the tone by emphasizing the need to prioritize human rights, such as privacy and freedom of expression, throughout the lifecycle of digital standards. She underscored the significance of inclusive, human-centered technology development, linking it to the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) statement and the UN’s Global Digital Compact.
Opening Statements
Representatives from India, ITU, Czech Republic, and the European Commission reinforced the need for a human-centric approach. Dr. Bilel Jamoussi from ITU highlighted the growing awareness within the technical community of the need to view human rights alongside technical precision. Similarly, the Czech representative emphasized the importance of a resilient and inclusive digital ecosystem.
Panel Highlights
A range of panelists explored the intersection of human rights and technical standards:
- John Omo of the African Telecommunication Union addressed the critical need for global standards to consider local cultural contexts, particularly in Africa, to ensure these standards don’t unintentionally exclude vulnerable communities.
- Michel Oliveira de Souza from OHCHR stressed the need for technical standards that actively support human rights, especially in AI systems, advocating for cooperation across governments, corporations, and civil society to ensure rights-respecting technologies.
- Per Fröjdh of Ericsson spoke on the private sector’s responsibility to integrate privacy-by-design and trustworthy AI principles into tech innovations from the outset, focusing on human rights risk assessments at every stage.
- Raquel Renno Nunes from Article 19 reminded attendees that poorly designed standards exacerbate the digital divide, calling for regulatory measures that sustain an open, interoperable internet.
- Olivier Alais from ITU outlined ITU’s ongoing efforts to promote inclusive standards, touching on initiatives like “Bridging the Standardization Gap” to empower voices from developing nations and fostering partnerships with organizations like OHCHR to make human rights actionable within standards.
Closing Reflections
In a poignant close, Ambassador Eric Fournier of France drew historical parallels between technology and human rights, reminding us that today’s digital tools, like mobile phones, carry the potential to safeguard freedoms around the globe.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The event concluded with actionable steps for ensuring that technical standards uphold human rights:
- Embedding Human Rights in Standards from the Start: Standards must integrate human rights principles such as privacy, security, and accessibility from the earliest stages.
- Building Capacity for Broad Participation: Stakeholders, especially from developing nations, need capacity-building programs to ensure equitable involvement in standards development.
- Promoting Virtual Participation: Expanding virtual participation can overcome logistical barriers and ensure more equitable representation.
- Conducting Continuous Risk Analysis: The event emphasized the importance of proactive risk assessments for emerging technologies, using human rights due diligence to address risks as they arise.
- Strengthening Collaboration with Human Rights Experts: Deepening partnerships with organizations like OHCHR can help translate human rights principles into concrete standards.
This event underscored the critical role of ICT standards in either advancing or hindering human rights. As technology evolves, it is imperative to ensure it benefits all people and upholds their rights. The ITU and its partners are dedicated to this mission, committed to a digital future that empowers rather than excludes.
For further details, visit the event page or watch the recorded session.
Emilio Dávila González DG CONNECT
Bilel Jamoussi ITU
Event panelists