Open letter to States on the draft resolution on human rights defenders

At its current session, the UN Human Rights Council will discuss a draft resolution on human rights defenders and new and emerging technologies. Such technologies have the potential to enhance, but also to significantly impair, individual and collective exercise of the fundamental right to defend rights.  

Human rights defenders are increasingly subject to so called cyber-crimes when accessing the internet and mobile networks, targeted violence, harassment, disinformation, misinformation and malinformation on social media, cybersecurity vulnerabilities in the form of malware, spyware, and other technical attacks, and threats to their communications and identities, including via targeted and mass surveillance, and deceptive and maliciously-generated synthetic media. 

Furthermore, States and their law enforcement agencies (often through the help of other non-State actors, including business enterprises) often take down or censor the information shared by defenders on social media and other platforms. 

In addition, courts in many jurisdictions allow strategic lawsuits against public participation, imposing harsh civil and criminal penalties for legitimate online activities like newsgathering, tweeting, and the sharing of information in the public interest. 

The Declaration on Human Rights Defenders, adopted in 1998, does not consider these challenges, which have largely arisen with the rapid evolution of technology and widespread use of smartphones and social media. As part of activities to mark the 25th anniversary of the UN Declaration on human rights defenders, a coalition of NGOs launched a consultative initiative to identify the key issues faced by human rights defenders that are insufficiently addressed by the UN Declaration. This process involved human rights defenders, legal and human rights experts, and civil society.

Over the course of a year, more than 700 human rights defenders provided inputs through in-person consultations or an online questionnaire. The result is the Declaration +25, a document that is grounded in binding international law and takes into account international jurisprudence over the last 25 years, the evolutions of movements and activism as well as defenders’ lived experiences. It supplements the UN Declaration and is meant to be read alongside it. Together, they set the parameters and standards to protect the right to defend rights and those who exercise it today and for the next 25 years and beyond.

This session’s human rights defenders’ resolution provides a useful and timely focus and a means to give effect to a range of obligations, including those contained  in the Declaration and Declaration +25. It is important for the Council to adopt a resolution that reflects the gravity and the reality of the situation defenders face every day and is tailored to addressing the specific protection needs they face.

Our organisations call on members of the UN Human Rights Council to ensure that the resolution clearly acknowledges that human rights defenders’ rights must be protected offline and online, while recognising the expanding threats that new and emerging technologies pose to defenders, as well as opportunities for human rights enjoyment and promotion in the digital sphere.

They should recognise the power that the online space and digital tools offer for the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights, and the potential of the digital environment for the implementation of the rights contained in the Declaration and Declaration +25

The resolution should also aim to ensure that human rights defenders can use the power of information and communication technologies, including technical solutions such as encryption, in the context of their activities without facing risks. It should also re-emphasise defenders’ right of access to information and to open, secure, and affordable ICTs, such as the internet and mobile networks.

Based on binding international law reflected in the Declaration and the Declaration +25, the resolution should make specific calls on States to:

1. Ensure that human rights defenders enjoy universal, affordable, open, safe, interoperable, secure, and full and equal access to ICTs, on a non-discriminatory basis and in all circumstances, including during emergencies.
2. Not shut down the internet, limit bandwidth, or intentionally make electronic communications unavailable or inaccessible at any time, including during elections, protests, war, or humanitarian crises.
3. Enact laws and policies to recognise and protect the privacy of individuals’ data and digital communications.
4. Not interfere with human rights defenders’ use of technical solutions, including measures for encryption, pseudonymisation, and anonymity, with any restrictions thereon complying with international human rights law.
5. Take all necessary legislative, administrative, technical, and other measures, including ensuring private sector accountability, to prevent, remedy, and eliminate cyber harassment, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence, smear campaigns, doxxing, the spread of malicious or deceptive generated media, and other threats against human rights defenders. This includes when the State or its proxies are themselves the perpetrators of such harassment.
6. Refrain from or cease the use of artificial intelligence systems and other emerging technologies which cannot operate in compliance with international human rights law or that pose undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights, especially of those who are at risk, including human rights defenders.
7. Implement a ban on the sale, export, transfer, and use of surveillance technology until human rights safeguards are in place. This should include a ban on uses of facial recognition and remote biometric recognition technologies that enable mass surveillance, and discriminatory targeted surveillance, including so-called emotion recognition and gender detection technologies, which fail to respect human dignity and violate human rights by design. 
8. Ensure that any personal data collected, stored, processed, analysed, or otherwise used by business enterprises or government bodies is done so consistently with human rights, empowering individuals to make informed choices about what happens to their information, and preventing unauthorised access to data or its misuse.
9. Not force individuals to connect online in order to receive public services or participate in civic life, with States respecting people’s right to disconnect from the digital realm.
10. Ensure that artificial intelligence systems and other emerging technologies are properly regulated and operate in compliance with international human rights law, and refrain from or cease the use of technology that poses undue risks to the enjoyment of human rights, especially of those who are at risk, including human rights defenders.
11. Regulate ICT companies in conformity with international human rights law to prevent the misuse of social media and messaging platforms to target or silence human rights defenders. This includes requiring ICT companies to implement mechanisms for  rapid responses to reports of harassment or threats, and the development of tools to guarantee the safety and privacy of human rights defenders online. 
12. Take all necessary steps to protect access to information, freedom of expression, and the right to form and hold an opinion, including by not unlawfully censoring the internet, requiring registration of accounts, devices, or SIMs, passing vague, arbitrary, or overbroad laws on fake news and cybercrime, or establishing troll farms, internet referral units, or other brigades that abuse tech platforms to silence or censor human rights defenders.

We urge States to actively support a resolution that recognises updated frameworks to protect human rights defenders in the digital era, addresses the growing risks of cybercrimes, online harassment, surveillance, and the suppression of free expression through censorship and disinformation. We also call on States to resist efforts that undermine and weaken the resolution.

Signatories:

1. International Service for Human Rights (ISHR)
2. Centre for Democracy and Human Rights
3. Reseau Nigerien des Defenseurs des Droits Humains
4. Network of the independent Commission for Human rights in North Africa CIDH AFRICA
5. The William Gomes Podcast
6. Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights (EIPR)
7. UPR Info
8. Southern African Centre for Constructive Resolutions of Disputes (SACCORD)
9. The Legal Resources Centre( South Africa)
10. European Saudi Organization for Human Rights
11. Bir Duino-Kyrgyzstan
12. Human Rights House Foundation
13. International Bar Association’s Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI)
14. CIVICUS
15. APDH-CI
16. ALTSEAN
17. KARAPATAN
18. Law and Democracy Support Foundation (LDSF)
19. Mongolian Gender Equality Center
20. Mongolian women’s employment supporting federation
21. International Centre for Ethnic Studies
22. Emonyo Yefwe International
23. Defence of Human Rights and Public services Trust
24. Reseau Ouest Africain des Defenseurs des Droits Humains
25. Human Rights Online Philippines
26. Instituto Brasileiro de Direitos Humanos
27. Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy
28. SHOAA for Human Rights
29. International Center for Civil Initiatives “Our House”
30. Feminine Solidarity for justice Organization
31. World Uyghur Congress
32. Aren ut Skelpen NL
33. Namibia Diverse Women’s Association (NDWA)
34. Human Rights Defenders Network in Central Africa (REDHAC)
35. Kazakhstan Feminist Initiative “Feminita”
36. Peace Brigades international
37. AbibiNsroma Foundation
38. Empower India
39. Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates
40. Algerian League for the Defence of Human Rights (LADDH)
41. Alliance to Renew Cooperation Among Humankind
42. Salam for Democracy and Human Rights
43. Rights Realization Centre /مركز تفعيل الحقوق
44. Global Alliance for Tibet & Persecuted Minorities
45. OTRANS-RN
46. Latinas en Poder
47. United Nations Association – UK (UNAUK)
48. Women Human Rights Defenders International Coalition
49. Acceso a la Justicia
50. ALQST For Human Rights
51. Global Human Rights Group
52. DefendDefenders (East and Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project)
53. Human Rights support society
54. Plataforma Lusófona dos Direitos Humanos-PLUDH
55. Artists at Risk Connection – ARC
56. International Dalit Soldarity Network
57. Human Rights Defenders Network- Sierra Leone
58. International Tibet Network
59. Kazakhstan International Bureau for Human Rights
60. Jamaica Household Workers Union
61. Association of World Citizens
62. Women Working Worldwide
63. Bulgarian Helsinki Committee
64. CAP Liberté de Conscience
65. Franciscans International
66. Association Mauritanienne pour la Promotion des droits de l’homme AMPDH
67. Acción Solidaria
68. Manushya Foundation
69. End Impunity Organization
70. Equality Bahamas
71. Urgent Action Fund for Feminist Activism
72. European Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ECNL)
73. Fédération Internationale des ACAT
74. Aine Sohayata Kendro Asok Foundation
75. The FreeAlKhawaja Campaign
76. Center for Human Rights Defenders and Justice
77. Sabuesos Guerreras A.C
78. AlertaVenezuela
79. PEN America
80. WE-Change
81. Cristosal Centroamerica
82. Asociación Generaciones de Paz
83. Organización Interseccional Pro Derechos Humanos (OIDH)- Costa Rica
84. Servicio Social Pasionista SSPAS
85. International Civil Society Action Network (ICAN)
86. Coalition Burkinabé des Défenseurs des Droits Humains (CBDDH)
87. Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF)
88. East Timor and Indonesia Action Network
89. The Bulan Institute for Peace Innovations
90. Women’s Global Network for Reproductive Rights
91. Promoting Empowerment Through Awareness for Lesbian and Bisexual Women (PETAL)
92. Journalists and Writers Foundation
93. Association For Promotion Sustainable Development
94. Coordinadora Nacional de Derechos Humanos
95. In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement (iDEFEND)
96. Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary NGO
97. Due Process of Law Foundation (DPLF)
98. Aula Abierta
99. Organisation pour le Développement Intellectuel de Madagascar “ODIMA”
100. WomenNC
101. Human Rights First
102. Refugee Council of Australia
103. Bougainville Women’s Federation
104. Task Force Detainees of the Philippines
105. Our Journey
106. Cisadane Resik
107. Kababaihang Bataeño Para sa Kalikasan, Karapatan at Pagbabago (KaBaRo)
108. Center for Civil Liberties
109. Oyu Tolgoi Watch
110. Steps Without borders NGO
111. Transparency International Madagascar
112. Equitable Cambodia
113. Together NGOs
114. International Federation of women lawyers (FIDA) Cameroon
115. Serikat Buruh Migran Indonesia
116. Echoes of Women in Africa
117. HALLMARK MEDIA – the Commonwealth Africa Journal
118. Asia Pacific Network of Environmental Defenders
119. Action of Christians for the Abolition of Torture in Burundi (Acat-Burundi)
120. LESBIAN GAY BISEXUAL TRANSGENDER CENTRE
121. Korean House for International Solidarity
122. Metro Center for Journalists Rights & Advocacy
123. Galck+
124. The Regional Coalition for Women Human Rights Defenders in South West Asia and North Africa (WHRDMENA)
125. Asociación Española para el DIDH
126. Sexual Rights Initiative (SRI)
127. Pax Christi International
128. IFEX
129. Humanists International
130. Access Now
131. Alliance for Democracy in Laos
132. Clima21
133. Myanmar Ethnic Rohingya Human Rights Organization in Malaysia (MERHROM)
134. Medical Action Group
135. National Center Against Violence
136. AMARA, Cambodian Women’s Network for Development
137. Human Rights Concern – Eritrea (HRCE)
138. SP Chanra
139. Hawaii Institute For Human Rigjts
140. Community Resource Centre
141. Human Rights Council of Australia
142. Protection International (PI)
143. Friends with Environment in Development
144. Solidarity With OTHERS
145. Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA)
146. Legal Resources Centre from Moldova
147. Lawyers’ Rights Watch Canada
148. Women’s Initiatives for Gender Justice
149. The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
150. STREHA Center
151. Edmund Rice International
152. Foundation for Aboriginal and Islander Research Action (FAIRA)
153. Agir ensemble pour les droits humains
154. Plateforme des Droits Humains
155. Association for Progressive Communications – APC
156. Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul
157. SIBUYANONS AGAINST MNING
158. Sectoral Transparency Alliance on Natural Resource Governance in cebu, Inc.
159. International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) / Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
160. World Organisation Against Torture (OMCT) / Observatory for the Protection of Human Rights Defenders
161. Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy (CFFP)
162. CREA
163. ILGA World
164. La ligue pour la protection des prisonniers Sahraouis dans les prisons marocaines (LPPS)
165. Women’s Major Group
166. Programa Venezolano de Educación Acción en Derechos Humanos (PROVEA)
167. Tournons La Page
168. Gulf Centre For Human Rights
169. C. UCHE & CO.
170. The Norwegian Human Rights Fund
171. Amnesty International
172. The Lesbian and Gay Association of Liberia (LEGAL)
173. Plan International
174. Accountability Counsel
175. Hong Kong Democracy Council
176. Save the Children International
177. Advocates of Silenced Turkey
178. Alliance for Shared Values
179. Servicios y Asesoría para la Paz (SERAPAZ)
180. Rumi Forum
181. The Burundian coalition of Human rights defenders
182. Dignity
183. International Legal Initiative
184. Yerkindik Qanaty
185. Korgan-M
186. Legal media center
187. Public Foundation ‘Nemolchi.kz’
188. Parliamentarism development foundation in Kazakhstan
189. Regional Finance-Analitical Centre Kenes
190. Public Foundation Inmir
191. Public Association ‘We are against torture’
192. Law and justice
193. Eurasia human rights organization
194. Public Foundation “Research center “Sandj”
195. Public Foundation «Human’s hope»
196. Public Association “Equal rights”