MODULE 5

Question 1

Contemporary Challenges to Human Rights from Science and Technology

Answer 1

1. Privacy Violations
   
   • Advances in recording, surveillance, and data collection technologies (e.g. NSA surveillance) pose serious threats to individual privacy.
   • Existing national and international laws are struggling to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies.
2. Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering
   
   • Technologies such as cloning, genetic surgery, sex selection, and in vitro fertilization raise ethical and legal questions.
   • These developments can impact the right to dignity, bodily integrity, and non-discrimination.
3. Biomedical and Life Sciences Risks
   
   • Progress in genomics, reproductive technologies, neuroscience, and robotics may compromise human integrity and autonomy.
   • Concerns over exploitation and experimentation on humans and vulnerable populations.
4. Artificial Intelligence and Automation
   
   • While not directly stated in the excerpt, the implications relate to algorithmic bias, loss of jobs, and impact on the right to work and equality.
5. Environmental Technologies and Climate Change
   
   • Technologies that pollute contribute to the violation of rights to health, water, food, housing, and self-determination.
   • On the flip side, clean technologies support these rights and must be promoted.
6. Balancing Progress with Ethical Obligations
   
   • There’s a growing need for interdisciplinary cooperation—between scientists, engineers, and human rights experts—to address ethical dilemmas and legal gaps.
   • International cooperation is crucial to ensure technological progress respects human dignity and universal rights.
7. Emergence of New Rights
   
   • Fields like climate change and water access are driving the evolution of new or derivative rights (e.g. right to water, right to a clean environment).
   • Human rights law must adapt to scientific and technological advancements.

Question 2

When did the UN first acknowledge threats from science and technology to human rights?

Answer 2

In the 1968 Tehran Proclamation, warning that scientific advances might endanger individual rights and freedoms.

Question 3

What human right is most threatened by modern surveillance technologies?

Answer 3

The right to privacy, due to mass data collection and surveillance by states and private entities.

Question 4

How did the NSA surveillance revelations highlight a human rights issue?

Answer 4

They showed how national security measures can conflict with individuals’ privacy rights.

Question 5

Which biotechnological advances pose ethical challenges to human rights?

Answer 5

Genetic engineering, cloning, sex selection, and reproductive technologies.

Question 6

What rights can be affected by biomedical innovations?

Answer 6

The right to dignity, bodily integrity, equality, and informed consent.

Question 7

What declaration addressed biomedical risks to human dignity and rights?

Answer 7

The Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action (1993).

Question 8

How can environmental technologies harm human rights?

Answer 8

Polluting technologies contribute to climate change, violating rights to health, food, water, and housing.

Question 9

How can clean technologies support human rights?

Answer 9

By mitigating emissions and helping people adapt to climate-related harm, thus realizing rights to health and environment.

Question 10

What are examples of emerging or derivative human rights due to scientific developments?

Answer 10

The right to water and the right to a healthy environment.

Question 11

Why is interdisciplinary cooperation important in addressing these challenges?

Answer 11

Because scientists, engineers, and human rights experts must work together to ensure technology respects human dignity.

Question 12

What is a major human rights concern arising from online censorship?

Answer 12

“It can silence dissent and marginalised voices undermining freedom of expression

Question 13

Why do governments justify online censorship?

Answer 13

“To prevent hate speech,disinformation, and maintain public order or national security

Question 14

What is the challenge in regulating online content?

Answer 14

“Balancing content regulation with the preservation of freedom of expression.”

Question 15

How has social media impacted freedom of expression?

Answer 15

“It has democratised public discourse but also enabled misinformation and online harassment.”

Question 16

What are key measures to protect freedom of expression online?

Answer 16

“Content moderation, digital literacy, and transparent platform policies

Question 17

What threat do surveillance laws pose in the digital era?

Answer 17

“They can lead to mass data collection without oversight violating privacy rights

Question 18

What are examples of surveillance technologies used today?

Answer 18

“Facial recognition, biometric tracking, and algorithmic data analysis

Question 19

Why must surveillance laws evolve?

Answer 19

“To match technological advancements and uphold human rights principles.”

Question 20

Why is the right to privacy essential in the digital age?

Answer 20

“It safeguards individual autonomy and dignity in an environment of constant data collection.”

Question 21

What solutions help protect digital privacy?

Answer 21

“Strong privacy laws, data protection regulations, consent mechanisms, and transparency

Question 22

Who must collaborate to protect digital freedom?

Answer 22

“Governments, civil society, and technology companies

Question 23

What is the goal of a rights-based digital framework?

Answer 23

“To ensure technology advances without sacrificing fundamental freedoms and human dignity.”

Question 24

Why is terrorism considered a threat to human rights?

Answer 24

“Because it violates fundamental rights like life, liberty, security, freedom of expression and association.

Question 25

Who are the most vulnerable groups affected by terrorism?

Answer 25

"Women, children, ethnic and religious minorities."

Question 26

What dual challenge do states face when combating terrorism?

Answer 26

"Balancing national security with protection of human rights and civil liberties."

Question 27

What is a concern with preventive laws like NSA (1980) and TADA (1987) in India?

Answer 27

"They allow detention without trial and may lead to human rights abuses if misused."

Question 28

What did Nani Palkhiwala caution about liberty and law enforcement?

Answer 28

"Liberty must be balanced with responsibility; laws should not make life easy for criminals and hard for law-abiding citizens."

Question 29

How do terrorist groups finance their activities?

Answer 29

"Through transnational crimes like drug trafficking, extortion, smuggling, and money laundering."

Question 30

What international body works against terrorist financing?

Answer 30

"Financial Action Task Force (FATF)."

Question 31

What digital threat is posed by terrorists today?

Answer 31

"Use of cyberspace and social media for recruitment, propaganda, and coordination

Question 32

What initiative addresses online extremist content?

Answer 32

"The Christchurch Call for Action."

Question 33

Why is youth engagement important in counter-terrorism?

Answer 33

"Youth are vulnerable to online radicalization; empowering them prevents extremism."

Question 34

What did India propose at the UN to combat terrorism?

Answer 34

"An 8-point action plan including a universal definition of terrorism and fair terror listing mechanisms."

Question 35

What role should victims of terrorism play?

Answer 35

"They should be supported their rights protected, and included in building resilient societies

Question 36

What is the role of the UNOCT?

Answer 36

"To coordinate global counter-terrorism efforts, capacity building, and victim support."

Question 37

What must a human rights-based counter-terrorism approach ensure?

Answer 37

"Security measures must not violate justice and fundamental freedoms."

Question 38

What is a major contemporary human rights challenge related to business?

Answer 38

"Ensuring that business activities do not violate human rights especially in global supply chains.

Question 39

What foundational framework addresses business and human rights?

Answer 39

"The UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)endorsed in 2011."

Question 40

What are the three pillars of the UNGPs?

Answer 40

"1. State's duty to protect human rights, 2. Corporate responsibility to respect, 3. Access to remedy."

Question 41

What is the responsibility of businesses under the UNGPs?

Answer 41

"To prevent, mitigate and remedy human rights abuses linked to their operations or supply chains

Question 42

Why is implementation of the UNGPs difficult?

Answer 42

"Many businesses treat compliance as a 'box-ticking' exercise without genuine commitment or enforcement."

Question 43

Which countries have introduced due diligence laws on business and human rights?

Answer 43

"France (Duty of Vigilance Act) Germany (Supply Chain Act), and Norway (Transparency Act)."

Question 44

What is the purpose of the proposed EU Directive on Due Diligence?

Answer 44

"To ensure businesses prevent harm to human rights and the environment across their supply chains."

Question 45

What role do businesses play in eliminating child labour?

Answer 45

"They must monitor supply chains refer affected children to services, and support access to education

Question 46

What ILO conventions relate to child labour?

Answer 46

"ILO Convention 138 on minimum age and Convention 182 on worst forms of child labour."

Question 47

What is the challenge with access to remedy in business-related human rights abuse?

Answer 47

"Workers often lack avenues to report abuses, especially when unions are excluded.

Question 48

What risks do businesses face if they fail to provide effective remedies for human rights abuses?"

Answer 48

"Reputational damage, legal consequences, and operational disruptions

Question 49

What does the UNGPs 10+ Roadmap focus on?

Answer 49

"Improving implementation through cooperation, aligning sustainability with human rights, and outcome-based accountability

Question 50

What must happen for business and human rights to succeed globally?

Answer 50

"A shift from voluntary frameworks to binding obligations, from fragmented approaches to coherent global governance, and from rhetoric to real accountability."