Pre-Glion VII policy dialogue with Mission of Iceland: ‘Putting digital technology at the service of equality and non-discrimination, including in the area of economic, social and cultural rights’

Ahead of Glion VII, the Universal Rights Group (URG), with a number of supportive State delegations, organised a series of informal policy dialogues designed to allow early consideration and exchange on different aspects of ‘human rights in the digital age.’

On Tuesday October 20th at 1:30PM the Permanent Mission of Iceland to the UN and the URG NYC hosted an informal policy dialogue on ‘Making digital technology work for equality and non-discrimination, including in the area of economic, social and cultural rights.’ This digital event brought together representatives from New York based delegations to the UN, UN officials, as well as key civil society actors and human rights experts, to exchange views on a number of issues including, ‘the digital divide and its implications for equality and non-discrimination’, and ‘mobilising digital technologies to power progress towards the full enjoyment of social rights, and the realisation of the SDGs’.

Background – human rights in the digital age

The rapid evolution of digital technologies has major implications for the enjoyment of human rights. Indeed, numerous contemporary human rights challenges are inextricably linked with the growing power of digital technologies.

In this context, the UN in general, and the human rights pillar in particular, can play an important role in clarifying universal human rights norms as they pertain to digital technologies. At the same time, ensuring that these technologies respect and work to enhance the enjoyment of human rights around the world requires cooperation between all relevant stakeholders and in particular the building of partnerships between governments, civil society and technology companies.

Background – Glion

The Glion Human Rights Dialogue, which took place in December 2020, provided a platform for representatives of States, OHCHR, the wider UN, and other key parts of the human rights system such as Special Procedure mandate-holders, members of Treaty Bodies, NHRIs, NGOs, and human rights defenders, to exchange views on the implications of digital technologies for certain categories of human rights, in particular freedom of expression and access to information; political and civil rights, and political participation; and equality and non-discrimination, including in the area of economic, social, and cultural rights.

The outcome of the Glion VII Dialogue, and the four policy dialogues held in preparation for the meeting, including this one, will be summarised in an informal document presenting some of the key messages, ideas and recommendations, which will seek to encourage and contribute to wider consideration of the issues.