Security Days: A Human Rights-Centred Approach to Technology and Security

When

8 November 2019 (All day)

Where

Hofburg Congress Centre, Vienna

Organized by

OSCE Secretary General

(OSCE)

Technology has a growing impact on security, both for better and for worse. It can enable individuals to more effectively exercise their rights and enhance participation in democratic processes as well as help states secure their borders, combat crime, and increase transparency. At the same time, technology is being used to commit crimes, attack infrastructure, spread false information, and foment terrorism.

What does this mean for the security of people, and of states?

The OSCE will hold a Security Days event on 8 November to look at a human rights-centred approach to technology and security. This event will focus on how new technologies enabled by computerization and digitalization can both enhance and endanger security, and what can be done to strengthen respect for human rights, democracy, transparency and accountability at a time of rapid technological change.

OSCE participating States have long recognized that respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law is intrinsic to security and stability. They have reiterated that protection and promotion of human rights is their “first responsibility” and that “the inherent dignity of the individual is at the core of comprehensive security.”

Participants will identify lessons learned, best practices and recommendations, showcasing good examples of how the OSCE and others use technology to combat threats to security in a human rights-centred way.

OSCE Security Days gather prominent experts from government, think tanks and academic institutions, civil society, youth and media, to engage with each other and with OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation in an informal and interactive discussion on twenty-first century security threats and challenges. They are intended as a platform for sharing experiences and good practices, and offer an opportunity to examine emerging trends and priorities for action.

The OSCE Security Day is open to representatives of think tanks and academic institutions, civil society, youth, and media, subject to prior registration and confirmation from the OSCE Secretariat.

Dunja Mijatovic, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights, speaking at the Security Days Event on Human Rights-Centred Approach to Technology and Security, Vienna, 8 November 2019.