AI-generated summary
Since 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights established by the United Nations has outlined fundamental human rights that must be protected worldwide. This charter has inspired over seventy human rights treaties applied globally and regionally. Science, technology, and innovation have played crucial roles in upholding these rights. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the right to education was preserved through advancements in online education, made possible by the internet—a foundational tool enabling remote learning and other human rights protections. The internet facilitates freedom of expression, personal security, and anti-slavery efforts by providing free platforms for speech, tools to detect rights violations, and technologies like blockchain to ensure ethical product sourcing. There is growing discourse that internet access itself should be recognized as a universal right.
Beyond connectivity, scientific research contributes directly to human rights by addressing global challenges such as malnutrition, disease, climate resilience, forensic identification, and environmental protection. These efforts align with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s goal to ensure no one is left behind. However, science and technology must also critically assess their own impact on human rights, conducting evaluations to identify and mitigate potential risks. For example, data from satellites is used to monitor displaced populations while ensuring privacy through anonymization. Together, science, technology, and innovation not only provide solutions to improve lives but also function as safeguards that respect and promote human rights.
On the occasion of International Human Rights Day, we analyse how science, technology and innovation have contributed to its defence, guarantee and preservation.
Since 1948 there has been the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, a list promoted by the United Nations that establishes those fundamental human aspects that must be protected throughout the world . A charter that has served as inspiration for the adoption of more than seventy human rights treaties, which are now permanently applied not only globally, but also regionally.
Science, technology and innovation have been essential tools when it comes to defending, guaranteeing and complying with all these principles. The closest example is during the pandemic, in which the right to education was not interrupted thanks to the advances made possible by online education.
The Internet, the great enabler
It is clear that the internet is the basis on which this remote education has been possible, since the necessary applications and tools have been built on this universal network so that, with sufficient bandwidth from telecommunications networks, online classes can be broadcast and followed.
The Internet, moreover, is also the basis for other ways in which these universal human rights can be defended. Some examples:
- Freedom of expression: the internet allows, free of charge, to open websites and blogs from which to express oneself freely.
- Personal freedom and security: with the internet it is easier to detect, verify and denounce attacks on personal freedom and security that people may suffer due to their ideology, sex, religion, ethnicity or origin.
- Slavery and trafficking: technologies such as Blockchain make it possible to guarantee the traceability of all products and services, so that users can guarantee that no person has suffered conditions of slavery or trafficking in the production of them.
So much so that it is even said that the internet should also be considered a universal right.
But the role of science, innovation and technology in promoting human rights goes much further.
Science at the service of humanity
In 2017, a group of researchers asked young scientists how they thought their work could contribute to human rights. Among the answers, there are many areas in which this scientific research is carried out and that, without a doubt, improve and protect human rights. Among others, the following are cited:
- Make stronger foods to prevent malnutrition.
- Research and develop longer-lasting vaccines .
- Create wearable personal health trackers .
- Promote genetically modified crops capable of withstanding harsh climates.
- Improve forensic anthropology to identify victims of genocide.
- Ecological research to maintain our terrestrial habitat.
Not surprisingly, the relationship between technology, science, innovation and human rights is also very present in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, in the sense that it must be ensured that “no one is left behind“.
However, in order to achieve this goal and therefore for sustainability to be rights-based, there are times when it is necessary for science and technology to stop and think about how they are carrying out these advances. In other words, periodic evaluations must be carried out on the impact and risks, both from the design of these new scientific and technological techniques and in their development, that these advances can have. The challenge is that if there are human rights risks, they can be identified and addressed before it is too late.
An example of this respect for human rights of technology is in the processing of data to detect mass migrations of populations and the impact that different pandemics can have on the world. To do this, the data sent by satellites are used to monitor displaced people to ensure their safety. But to do so with full safeguarding of people’s rights, all this information must be completely anonymized.
Science, technology and innovation come together in these situations not only to offer solutions that improve people’s lives, but to do so while respecting their human rights and functioning, at the same time, as a safeguard of them.
