CHRI at HRC47: Joint oral statement with FORUM-ASIA in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression (Agenda Item 3)

2 July 2021, Geneva: CHRI along with the Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA) delivered an oral statement in the Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Ms. Irene Khan. 

The statement was based on our reflections on the Special Rapporteur's report identifying the complex challenges posed by disinformation. 

The statement delivered by Ms. Aditi Patil called on States to meaningfully implement the recommendations in the Special Rapporteur's report and  raised three main issues: 

(1) Deliberate spread of false information on journalists, activists and human rights defenders, and has most adversely affected the already marginalised groups, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. This has caused a sharp rise in xenophobia, racism, hate speech and violence, both online and offline.

(2) State responses to tackle disinformation have most often been excessive and have violated the limitations prescribed in Article 19 (3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

(3) Complications added by geographical disparities in terms of unequal internet penetration rates need to be acknowledged and efforts should be made towards creating democratised and decentralised fact-checking processes.

You can read the statement here and watch the video below: