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India Champions Digital Tools for Human Rights at UN Council

India has asserted at the UN Human Rights Council that extending digital tools across humanity helps promote human rights by improving lives. A senior diplomat highlighted India's use of digital tools to expand access to rights, justice, and democratic participation for its 1.4 billion people. He cited a recent global AI summit in Delhi, endorsed by over 100 countries, which acknowledged that AI's power is best realized when its benefits are shared equitably. The address also called for united action against terrorism as a grave threat to human rights.

Key Points: India: Digital Tools Expand Human Rights Access

  • Digital tools expand rights access
  • AI benefits must be shared equitably
  • Terrorism is a grave threat to rights
  • Holistic development is key pathway
  • Global South must participate in AI
2 min read

Extending power of digital tools across humanity helps promote human rights: India

India tells UN that extending digital tools across humanity promotes human rights, citing its own large-scale programs and the global AI summit.

"In India, we have harnessed digital tools to expand access to rights for all, at scale - Sibi George"

United Nations, March 12

Extending the power of digital tools across humanity helps promote human rights because improving the lives of all people is essential for realising its potential, according to India.

"In India, we have harnessed digital tools to expand access to rights for all, at scale", Sibi George, who is the Secretary (West) in India's External Affairs Ministry, told the Human Rights Council in Geneva on Wednesday (local time).

"It has also facilitated access to justice, civil and political rights, democratic participation of 1.4 billion Indians, and empowerment of our women," he said.

The AI Impact Summit in Delhi last month, where more than 100 countries participated, endorsed this idea of sharing the power of AI universally, he said.

20 heads of state or government and about 45 ministers attended the summit convened by India, along with France.

The summit "acknowledged that the power of AI is best realised only when its benefits are shared equitably by humanity, including participation of the Global South", George said.

George recalled External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar's call to the Council to move beyond statements and resolutions to tangible improvements in the daily lives of the most vulnerable.

"We firmly believe that a holistic and balanced approach to all human rights, anchored in an integrated development paradigm, is the most effective pathway to achieving this", George said, citing the example of India's digital programme as one of its pillars.

He reminded the Council about terrorism's serious threat to human rights and called for united action against it.

"Terrorism remains one of the gravest threats to human rights," he said.

"We must remain steadfast in our resolve to counter it in all its forms and manifestations," he said. "This Council should continue to speak with one voice on this issue".

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Glad India is taking a leadership role in AI for the Global South. For too long, tech benefits were concentrated in the West. Sharing these tools can help bridge the development gap. The Delhi summit sounds like a great step.
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Arjun K
While the digital push is commendable, we must ensure it doesn't leave behind the elderly or those in areas with poor internet. The 'tangible improvements' Mr. Jaishankar mentioned must reach *everyone*, not just the tech-savvy urban population. A balanced approach is key.
S
Sarah B
Interesting perspective from India. Connecting human rights with equitable technology access is a powerful argument. The point about terrorism is also crucial – security is a prerequisite for enjoying any rights.
V
Vikram M
Absolutely right about moving beyond statements! Our DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) is a world-class example. Subsidies going directly to poor women's bank accounts has empowered them and reduced corruption. This is what real, integrated development looks like.
K
Karthik V
Proud to see India convening such a major summit with France. 20 heads of state is no small feat. It shows our growing soft power and our commitment to being a 'Vishwaguru' in the digital age. The focus on equitable sharing is the need of the hour.

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