The Arab world commemorates Arab Human Rights Day on the sixteenth of March each year. This day coincides with the anniversary of the entry into force of the Arab Charter on Human Rights in 2008, following its adoption by the League of Arab States in 2004, as a regional reference document that reflects the commitment of Arab states to protecting human rights, safeguarding human dignity, and promoting the principles of justice, equality, and the rule of law. This year’s theme, “Protecting Human Rights in Cyberspace and Artificial Intelligence,” highlights the importance of addressing the challenges facing human rights in the context of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence.
The National Centre for Human Rights affirms, first and foremost, that the principles of the Jordanian Constitution, particularly the protection of human dignity, the safeguarding of privacy, the guarantee of freedom of opinion and expression, and all human rights enshrined in the Constitution, constitute a legal foundation that extends to the digital environment with its various tools and applications. Within the framework of national legislation, it is also important to note the adoption of laws aimed at protecting individuals from cybercrimes, with stricter penalties imposed for crimes committed against children and persons with disabilities, as stipulated in the Cybercrime Law.
It is also worth noting that the Centre held a conference on protecting and promoting human rights in the context of emerging technologies and artificial intelligence, which resulted in several key recommendations. Foremost among these is the need to review the national legislative framework to ensure the regulation of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies in a manner that balances the encouragement of innovation with the protection of users, while taking into account the risks associated with intelligent systems and identifying and addressing any existing legal gaps in the current digital legislative system. The recommendations also called for the adoption of policies and procedures that ensure the governance of artificial intelligence and promote the use of technology without harming human rights, while obliging companies and service providers to apply digital technologies in an ethical and responsible manner. Additionally, the Centre emphasized the importance of developing an implementation plan for the National Charter for Artificial Intelligence Ethics, strengthening digital infrastructure, and building the capacities of employees and professionals in this field. The recommendations further stressed the necessity of launching national preventive programs on safe use of the digital environment, particularly for children, and preparing simplified awareness guides on digital privacy, cybersecurity, reporting mechanisms, and legal procedures related to digital violence. Finally, they highlighted the importance of enabling persons with disabilities and older persons to actively participate in the digital environment by providing the necessary protection tools and support to ensure safe and accessible use.
