Sustaining human rights in the era of new technologies: Case studies of Armenia, Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic

Abstract

The development of new technologies and innovation is meant to enhance accessibility and make life easier. Due to the fast pace of development, the response of countries to new technologies is crucial to ensure their reasonable use. However, along with the development of new technologies different implications have emerged as some developing countries appear not to be capable of effectively responding to these developments. Despite the positive impact of new technologies on various aspects of life, their misuse has negative implications for the enjoyment of human rights. This article aims to explore regional challenges to human rights caused by new technologies at the national and regional levels. It also aims to identify long-term structural challenges to human rights in Armenia, Belarus and the Kyrgyz Republic with a focus on cyber security, freedom of expression, freedom of speech, access to information and data protection policies. It further aims to make recommendations to stakeholders so as to improve the situation and minimise the negative impact of new technologies on human rights. On the one hand, the study reveals that the development of new technologies increased the accessibility of people to information in terms of e-governance programmes. Moreover, it shows that political mobilisation and participation, and freedom of expression have been enhanced due to social media developments. On the other hand, it identifies the current challenges to human rights in Armenia, Belarus, and the Kyrgyz Republic in terms of increasing hate speech online, media manipulation, the spreading of disinformation, data leakage and cyber security. The study shows that despite the positive impact of the new technologies on the enjoyment of human rights, the inability of these states to effectively respond to the developments and eliminate the misuse of new technologies, and the insufficiency of strategies, legislation and policies, are negatively impacting on human rights. Key words: human rights; digitalisation; cyber security; new technologies; e-governance; freedom of speech; free flow of information; digital rights