12 March 2018, 13:30-15:00
Event
Microsoft NYC
This side-event at the UN Human Rights Council will discuss the applicability of existing human rights instruments to activities in cyber-space, which affect the enjoyment of human rights, and the need to continuously reassess the application of the existing legal framework in the light of new technological developments. This implies the recognition of additional implications and challenges to the promotion and protection of existing rights including a responsibility of private actors, to protect the basic needs and interests of individuals in cyber-space.
The panel will focus, firstly, on questions regarding the direct and indirect regulatory responsibility of the State to respect, promote and protect, in the cyber-space, recognized human rights such as freedom of expression and of information, and the right to privacy, as well as the right to be free from discrimination, and the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress. Secondly, the panel will consider the role and responsibilities of multiple stakeholders, including states, inter-governmental organizations, IT companies, and on-line communities.
Finally, it will also address the consideration of updated interpretations of existing rights and notably the possible need to reflect how existing human rights could yield new obligations when applied to modern digital technology, such as the ‘right to access ’ cyber-space as consequence of the right to enjoy the benefits of scientific progress (pursuant to Article 15 (b) ICESC) and to operate therein free from discrimination (pursuant to Article 2 ICESC), the entitlement to exercise control over information and data pertaining to one-self (information self-determination and data portability), including the ‘right’ to data protection, the so-called ‘right to be forgotten ’ or the capability to exercise control over digital life after physical death (pursuant to the right to privacy Article 17 ICCPR / 12 UDHR), or – when following the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights - a responsibility of ICT companies to enforce their terms of service in the spirit of due process
This side event is co-organized with the Permanent Missions of Israel and Germany to the UN in Geneva and the Cyber Law Program at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem’s Cyber Security Research Center
A sandwich lunch will be served before the event.
A valid UN badge is necessary to enter the Palais des Nations. Persons not accredited will have to register via the electronic platform. Select the appropriate event in the drop-down list (12 March - 13:30 (Room XXV) - PM of Israel - Meeting on 37th Session) and upload the flyer on the platform.
Carina Svenfelt works for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Tbilisi, Georgia, as a Programme Coordinator dealing with missing persons and their families.
Geneva Academy
Helmer Jonelid and Edward Millett – enrolled in our LLM in International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights – represent this year the Geneva Academy at the 14th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition.
Markus Spiske, Unsplash
This online bilingual workshop, held in English and Italian, aims to raise awareness about the upcoming changes to the European Union (EU) seed marketing legislation and what this reform means in the Italian context.
UN Photo / Jean-Marc Ferré
This training course will explore the origin and evolution of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) and its functioning in Geneva and will focus on the nature of implementation of the UPR recommendations at the national level.
Dustan Woodhouse, Unplash
This training course will explore the major international and regional instruments for the promotion of human rights, as well as with their implementation and enforcement mechanisms; and provide practical insights into the different UN human rights mechanisms pertinent to advancing environmental issues and protecting environmental human rights defenders.
UN Photo
This research aims at taking stock of and contributing to a better understanding of the above-mentioned challenges to the principle of universality of human rights while also questioning their validity. It will identify relevant political and legal arguments and develop counter-narratives that could be instrumental to dealing with and/or overcoming the polarization of negotiations processes at the multilateral level.
The Geneva Human Rights Platform contributes to this review process by providing expert input via different avenues, by facilitating dialogue on the review among various stakeholders, as well as by accompanying the development of a follow-up resolution to 68/268 in New York and in Geneva.
Canva