The
rise of information and communication technologies, particularly the internet,
is considered the most significant transition in human history since the
discovery of fire. Undoubtedly, they have increased the enjoyment of certain
human rights, but they also undermine others.
Their
rise has already prompted the recognition of new fundamental rights and
freedoms and has impacted the way they are exercised. Numerous facts
demonstrate that respect for human rights in the digital sphere is not
guaranteed. In 2013, Edward Snowden, a former consultant at the National
Security Agency (NSA), revealed the United States' project to monitor online
activities using American-owned platforms like Google and Yahoo. More recently,
the world was shocked to discover that personal data of over 87 million
Facebook users was exploited without their consent.
The
coronavirus outbreak has highlighted digital technologies' capacity for
surveillance and their impact on human rights, especially regarding privacy and
freedom of expression. While most international organizations recognize the
application of all human rights online, there is a need to advocate for the
promotion, respect, and protection of digital rights.
State of Digital Rights in Latin America and the Caribbean:
Latin America and the Caribbean
have experienced oscillations between defeat and inspiring leadership in terms
of digital rights. After World War II, the region adopted the American
Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, preceding the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights by a few months. However, this commitment to rights
was soon replaced by a succession of national dictatorial regimes, state
violence, and backlashes against freedom and democracy, as noted by Paolo
Carozza. Eventually, the region witnessed the ascension of liberal regimes in
the 1990s, dedicated to political participation, income equality, and gender,
racial, and social equality.
The
transition to democracy blended with the promises of digital rights, with the
internet and technology inviting politics into their core, igniting renewed
agendas of rights and regulatory debates. The state of digital rights in Latin
America and the Caribbean is intense, and research has identified three main
sources of information: the book "Digital Rights: Latin America and
Caribbean," the Derecho Digitales newsletter and website, and an article
published on Open Edition Journal. Furthermore, a Wikipedia campaign on digital
rights in the Caribbean sheds light on the region's debates. These debates have
highlighted violations of digital rights alongside the empowerment of
historically voiceless groups through digital technologies.
Before
delving further, it is necessary to shed light on the situation in Haiti. While
public information on digital rights advocacy is scarce, digital technologies
play a significant role in the socio-political landscape of Haiti and impact
human rights. The "Petro Caribe" movement, a massive youth
demonstration against corruption, was initiated through a tweet by Gilbert
Mirambeau on August 14, 2018. Reports have accused government officials of
perpetrating widespread violence and repression in neighborhoods such as La
Saline and Bel'Air to suppress protests. Additionally, gang leaders have
actively promoted violence online and attempted to recruit individuals as
sponsors or members. Simultaneously, social media has been used by many young
people to denounce Haiti's precarity and bad governance.
Advocacy
Examples:
- The Salvadoran Network of Women
Defenders reported the creation of "Digital undercover agents"
through the Code of Criminal Procedure reform in February 2021. This
reform poses a serious threat to organizations and individuals defending
human rights in El Salvador, legitimizing espionage practices by
incorporating digital evidence in criminal prosecutions. The reform also
modifies Article 25 of the Law against Computer Crime and Related Offenses
and may lead to the criminalization of journalists based on the sources of
information they use. Between February and May 2021, at least 370 digital
attacks were perpetrated by public officials or individuals close to the
President and his inner circle on social networks. Over 60 organizations
joined forces to denounce these violations against human rights.
- While not an advocacy campaign led
by an organization, it is worth mentioning that on November 8, 2011, the
former Martelly/Lamothe government launched an electronic governance
platform in Haiti. This project, funded by the Inter-American Development
Bank (IADB) until 2016 with $3,500,000, aimed to modernize the Haitian
public administration. However, the project has since disappeared along
with its structure, leaving the Haitian public administration functioning
primarily in an archaic manner.
Despite
the countless benefits that the internet brings to our community, there is an
urgent need to safeguard human rights from authoritarian governments and
privacy breaches. The Latin America and Caribbean region is particularly
susceptible to growing threats against democracy and human rights, with
governments frequently infringing upon digital rights.
As
a result, the international community is paying closer attention to the region,
recognizing the importance of protecting human rights in the digital sphere.
Efforts are being made to address the violations and ensure that individuals'
rights are upheld online, creating a safer and more inclusive digital
environment for all.
Bibliography
-
https://ayibopost.com/ou-est-passe-le-projet-e-gouvernance/
-
-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_rights_in_the_Caribbean
-
-
https://itsrio.org/en/publicacoes/digital-rights-in-latin-america-and-the-caribbean/
-
-
https://aragort.com/mozilla-festival-2022-digital-rights-caribbean-internet-censorship-cuba
-
-
https://www.derechosdigitales.org/