- Home
- World
- News
- UN expert calls for immediate moratorium on sale, transfer and use of surveillance tools
UN Expert Calls For Immediate Moratorium On Sale, Transfer And Use Of Surveillance Tools
Muhammad Irfan Published June 25, 2019 | 10:41 PM
A UN rights expert Tuesday called for an immediate ban on surveillance technology until "effective" national or international controls are put in place to lessen its harmful impact, a UN-appointed independent rights expert said on Tuesday
David Kaye, who's the United Nations Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, made the appeal as he prepared to present his latest report to the Human Rights Council in Geneva.
He highlighted that while States were largely responsible, companies appeared to be "operating without constraint" too, in a "free for all" private surveillance industry environment.
"Surveillance tools can interfere with human rights, from the right to privacy and freedom of expression to rights of association and assembly, religious belief, non-discrimination, and public participation," the Special Rapporteur said in statement. "And yet they are not subject to any effective global or national control." According to Kaye's report, the surveillance of journalists, activists, opposition figures, critics and UN investigators can lead to arbitrary detention.
It has also been linked to torture and possibly to extrajudicial killings, the Special Rapporteur said, citing various ways that States and other actors monitor individuals who exercise their right to freedom of expression.
These include hacking computers, networks and mobile phones, using facial recognition surveillance and other sophisticated surveillance tools to shadow journalists, politicians, UN investigators and human rights advocates.
Among the Special Rapporteur's recommendations is an appeal to States to adopt domestic safeguards to protect individuals from unlawful surveillance, in line with international human rights law.
In particular, Kaye calls for the development of publicly-owned mechanisms for the approval and oversight of surveillance technology.
In addition, countries should strengthen export controls and provide assurances of legal redress to victims.
"It is imperative that States limit the uses of such technologies to lawful ones only, subjected to the strictest sorts of oversight and authorization," he said. "And that States condition export of such technologies on the strictest human rights due diligence".
Addressing the issue of corporate responsibility, Kaye insisted that companies should adhere to their human rights responsibilities, as they "appear to be operating without constraint".
To remedy this, firms should disclose data transfers, conduct "rigorous" human rights impact assessments, and avoid transfers to States unable to guarantee compliance with human rights norms, the Special Rapporteur said.
"The private surveillance industry is a free for all," Kaye noted, "an environment in which States and industry are collaborating in the spread of technology that is causing immediate and regular harm to individuals and organizations that are essential to democratic life journalists, activists, opposition figures, lawyers, and others.
"It is time for governments and companies to recognize their responsibilities and impose rigorous requirements on this industry, with the goal of protecting human rights for all," Kaye said.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
Record London close as oil prices drop on easing Middle East fears
TV tower in Kharkiv struck as Russia captured village
LCCI language courses from May 1
More Stories From World
-
Hamas to stay in Doha if 'useful' for Gaza war mediation: Qatar
19 minutes ago -
London stock market strikes record as sentiment lifts globally
30 minutes ago -
In Brazil, hopes to use AI to save wildlife from roadkill fate
1 hour ago -
Taiwan hit by dozens of strong aftershocks from deadly quake
1 hour ago -
Ambassador Hashmi visits Linyi city in Shandong province
2 hours ago -
Norway women bring seaweed to culinary heights in Europe
2 hours ago
-
Ukrainian agriculture minister suspected in corruption scandal
2 hours ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
2 hours ago -
London stock market hits record high
3 hours ago -
Five migrants die attempting Channel crossing: French police source
3 hours ago -
Migrant detentions set to begin after parliament passes UK-Rwanda plan
3 hours ago -
China slams US claims it is fuelling Ukraine war
3 hours ago