Panel discussion on the most efficient ways of upholding good governance to address the human rights impacts of the various digital divides - EU Intervention

UNITED NATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL

Panel discussion on the most efficient ways of upholding good governance to address the human rights impacts of the various digital divides

4 September 2023

EU Intervention

Mr President,

The European Union would like to thank the Office of the High Commissioner for convening this discussion, as mandated by HRC Resolution 51/5, and the panellists for sharing their insights on this important topic.

Digital transformation is an important driver of sustainable development and offers great potential to amplify social and economic benefits across many sectors. Digital technologies accompany the transformation of the public sector and public service delivery, facilitate citizens’ participation to civic life, and promote good governance through greater public scrutiny, transparency and accountability. Digital technologies can also enable individuals to exercise their human rights more fully.

However, digitalisation remains very unequal: more than 3 billion persons are not digitally connected, including many women and older persons. For the EU, it is clear that we will fail to bridge such digital divides unless we promote a vision of digitalisation that is grounded in human rights, fosters better education, reduces inequalities, supports better governance, and boosts economic growth, research, innovation, and digital literacy.

We also see the risk of bad governance in the abuse of digital technologies to spread disinformation and for mass surveillance purposes, for the latter in ways that are not limited in time and scope, legitimate, lawful, and necessary. Such cases may not only lead to human rights abuses and violations, but also to a deep erosion of transparency and trust – building blocks of good governance. In this regard, we reiterate the importance of digital skills for public officials and decision makers to be able to use digital technologies safely and effectively and prevent harmful impacts on users.

Following the European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles, the EU’s approach is about empowering individuals, safeguarding their human rights, protecting their personal data and privacy, preventing harmful content, including harassment and gender-based violence, as well as ensuring that technical progress serves humanity and contributes to inclusive and sustainable development.

Thank you.