The implementation of the rule of law and the Convention on the Protection of Human Rights on the Internet is sought, with public intervention by Commissioner Nils Mouiznieks.
In his intervention on the occasion of the publication of a report on this issue, the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks argues that we should not consider the Internet and digital environments as a "virtual world" in terms of human rights.
«The majority of the Internet's infrastructure is under the control of private companies, which are not directly linked to international law on human rights. Furthermore, private entities are subject to the national legislations of the countries in which they are installed, and these legislations are not always consistent with international law or international standards for human rights», emphasizes.
In his intervention, the Commissioner also touches on the issue of increasing pressure being exerted by national governments and other entities on these private companies, in order to reveal a lot of the personal data of Internet users.
All this, he emphasizes, must stop.
"National governments should stop hiding behind private companies that control the Internet to enforce practices that violate human rights , while at the same time obliging them to respect the human rights of users and take responsibility for their activities on the Internet," concludes Commissioner Muiznieks.
In his intervention, the Commissioner also highlights the threats posed by the increase in surveillance exercised by state security, law enforcement agencies and private companies on Internet users.
"The need to combat cybercrime and terrorism is undeniable. However, this cannot be done at the expense of human rights. Secret surveillance can end up destroying democracy, rather than helping to defend it. Governments should show as much determination in defending human rights as they do in fighting terrorism," the Commissioner noted.
The Commissioner added that interventions and restrictions on the Internet must be carried out only under judicial supervision, as well as based on a strictly defined legal framework.
The failure to protect ’ human rights on the Internet through general regulations legitimizes national governments to eavesdrop and store users' personal data, and this is something that could lead to the extermination of the Internet as we know it, concluded the Commissioner.
Source: imerisia.gr
