A debate that will draw wide participation

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights is embarking on an ambitious plan to draft a “general comment” on the role of science and technology in the enjoyment of human rights, in particular economic, social and cultural rights.

The Internet has a great role in this exercise that aims to interpret the Article 15 of the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights to the benefit of states parties to this human rights instrument, as it will assist them in understanding their obligations under the covenant.

Science and technology are of wide interest to all nations, especially scientific discoveries in the field of human health and intellectual advancement.

The controversial role the Internet can play, however, commands the highest consideration and interest of the international community.

There is wide recognition that the Internet has become both a blessing and a curse.

While it can be a vehicle for disseminating knowledge, and making communication among people easier and faster, it can also be used by wrongdoers to promote radicalism, extremism and terrorism.

At the same time, it has become a tool for the promotion of immorality, including the exploitation of children for sex, and as such, some nations believe that there is need for regulation and supervision in order for it not to become a conduit for the commission of evil, rather than of what is good for mankind.

The debate over the role of the Internet is expected to involve the entire international community, irrespective of the cultural, religious and political beliefs.

How to exercise control over this engine without encroaching on basic human rights is the main challenge, one that needs to be addressed before efforts to draw a balance among the various human rights are exerted, and this is what the committee hopes to do.