23-24 June, 2021, the first Annual International Conference on Human Rights in Digital Dimension took place.

The goal of the conference was to discuss the state of implementation of fundamental human rights and freedoms on the Internet during the pandemic, learn from international experts about the situation with Internet freedoms in the world, learn about the European Union's methods of countering disinformation and assess the balance between digital privacy and the effectiveness of anti-epidemic measures in the world and Ukraine.

There were 67 presentations delivered during the conference. The experts have discussed the access to justice and the electoral process using digital technologies, methods of countering harmful content online without human rights violations, the impact of artificial intelligence and virtual reality on national security, as well as online bullying and protection of vulnerable groups.

The Council of Europe recognizes that human rights apply equally online and offline. This principle includes the respect for the rights and freedoms of Internet users.

The Guide to Human Rights for Internet Users adopted in 2014 by the Committee of Ministers  of the Council of Europe lays down the basic framework of principles to protect the fundamental human rights guaranteed by the European Convention on Human Rights for all internet users.

Freedom of expression on the Internet is key to understanding the potential of information and communication technologies for increasing the level of human rights protection around the globe.

With the rise of the Internet the opportunities to express oneself have grown exponentially. But so have the challenges to freedom of expression.

Khrystyna Fedunyshyn, lawyer of the Department of the execution of ECtHR judgements, presented in detail the Council of Europe standards on human rights protection online. Also, Sally Broughton Micova, Council of Europe international expert, made a presentation on the approaches to the online platform regulation in the EU and recent legislative developments in this sphere. Moreover, Sally Broughton Micova mentioned that The EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive provides for online platforms to have clear terms of use, transparent and easy-to-use mechanisms for notifying content, effective complaint handling and resolution procedures, and effective measures and tools to media literacy.

During the conference, participants also discussed the draft law “On Media”, which is being prepared for consideration in the first reading in the Parliament. The draft law among its provisions is to establish clear regulations for online media, given the freedom of expression and compliance with European media standards.

Steen Nørlov, Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine, during his speech underlined: “The Draft Law “On Media” could help to modernize and align media legislation with the European standards. The Council of Europe standards on freedom of expression and EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive should serve as an important benchmark for the work on the Draft Law.  Adoption of the new media law has been an obligation to the Council of Europe since 2005 in line with PACE Resolution “Honouring the obligations and commitments by Ukraine”.

Following the conference, the organizers will develop a resolution on the current state of Internet Freedom in Ukraine and provide recommendations to Ukrainian authorities on improving Internet Freedom in the country.

The event was organized by the Rule of Law Initiative of the American Bar Association in partnership with the European Union and the Council of Europe Joint Project “EU and Council of Europe working together to support freedom of media in Ukraine” and several Ukrainian NGOs such as Human Rights Platform, Digital Security Laboratory, Center for Civil Liberties, Ukrainian Media and Communication Institute, Internews Ukraine, Ukrainian Coalition for Legal Aid,  and others.

Background information: The project «EU and Council of Europe working together to support freedom of media in Ukraine», funded by the EU and CoE, aims to enhance the role of media, its freedom and safety.

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