Migration, climate change and AI as new challenges for human rights

2024-01-15 21:19:05

Panel discussion in Parliament on the occasion of 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Vienna (PK) – Milestones and future prospects for human rights were the focus of an event in the House this evening, which concluded the focus that Parliament had set in recent weeks on the occasion of 75 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. In a panel discussion, legal scholars Wolfgang Benedek and Walter Obwexer, the founder of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights Manfred Nowak and Justice Minister Alma Zadić spoke about areas in which further development of human rights is necessary. In her closing remarks, Federal Council President Margit Göll emphasized the importance of human rights as an ethical compass.

Panel discussion on human rights perspectives

The focus of the panel discussion was how human rights need to be further developed with a view to challenges such as migration, climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), and whether they are actually the right instrument to address them.

International law expert Wolfgang Benedek, who formerly headed the European Training and Research Center for Human Rights and Democracy at the University of Graz, spoke out in favor of an action plan against racism. Because restricting the human rights of migrants is dangerous. Especially with a view to the necessary labor immigration into the EU, an environment must be created in which immigrants feel comfortable. Legal scholar and university professor at the University of Innsbruck Walter Obwexer, on the other hand, pointed out that the high standard of protection that those seeking protection enjoy, especially in Western Europe, can also cause counter-tendencies and a rejection of human rights in parts of the population. Justice Minister Alma Zadić said that with every development, tendencies in the other direction become visible. Even when women’s rights were introduced, there were voices against it. However, she is firmly convinced that fundamental rights must apply universally to all people. The current development of society towards universal fundamental rights, more freedoms and equality cannot be stopped, said Zadić.

With a view to climate change, the former UN special rapporteur on torture and founder of the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Human Rights Manfred Nowak pleaded for the rights of future generations. They would have to be represented by an ombudsman during the negotiations in order to later be able to find a sustainable world in which they can lead a humane life. In this context, Nowak spoke out in favor of an enforceable fundamental right to sustainable development. Obwexer agreed and was convinced that this was only a matter of time in Europe. In his view, however, a fundamental right to sustainable development that applies worldwide must be enshrined.

The human rights-related handling of artificial intelligence (AI) was also discussed. Wolfgang Benedek emphasized that human rights always have the task of providing protection against power. In the case of AI, this power lies with corporations. There is therefore a need for regulation and so-called digital human rights. In this context, Justice Minister Zadić pointed out that nation states no longer have the mechanisms at their disposal to stop global corporations. However, regulations at European level such as the Digital Services Act would certainly lead to a movement. Walter Obwexer criticized the fact that regulations at both national and European levels were normal laws and not fundamental rights. He would like to see a “fundamental right to AI” so that certain principles could be enforced and companies would have to adhere to them. Manfred Nowak explained that the Council of Europe is already dealing with this question and is “relatively far along”.

When it came to the question of whether human rights are actually the right concept to meet the challenges of the coming years, the participants in the discussion were largely in agreement, albeit with varying levels of optimism. “We have no other concept,” said Nowak. Human rights are the only universally recognized value system today that is also codified. Europe must set a good example and continue to promote human rights. Obwexer was also optimistic that the EU would be able to solve new challenges through further development of fundamental rights. He is less optimistic about the global anchoring of new fundamental rights, for example on AI and sustainable development. Benedek also pointed out that work needs to be done on global dialogue. If you want to advance the human rights agenda, you also have to take the interests of the global south more seriously. As a “basic optimist”, Zadić was convinced that it would be possible to regain trust in institutions such as states and human rights.

Göll: Human rights as an ethical compass

In her closing words, Federal Council President Margit Göll emphasized the importance of human rights. “Human rights are not just words on paper, but an ethical compass that guides us. They are independent of nationality, skin color, gender, religion or political opinion,” she said. The rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights would form the foundation of a free and just society. Göll was convinced that even if the challenges have changed over time, the principles of human rights will remain timeless. It is therefore important to continue to work for a world in which every person, regardless of their origin, can live in freedom and dignity. The protection and defense of human rights must be guaranteed both in Austria and globally. “Each of us, whether in politics, in civil society or as individual citizens, has a role to play,” said the President of the Federal Council. (End) kar

A NOTICE: Photos from this event as well as one Review of past events you find in Parliament web portal.

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