The past year 2024 left us with more shadows than lights with respect to the balance of human rights in digital environments.  It was a year marked by multiple violations in political and social conflicts, setbacks in the fulfillment of fundamental rights and greater tensions between States and platforms. It was also marked by the drafting of several international instruments such as the Global Digital Pact (GDC) and the International Convention against Cybercrime - both of which have several aspects that can be criticized and whose reasons we argue below.

At the end of September, the Summit of the Future took place, an event convened by the United Nations to establish a common agenda of global agreements on various issues, including an “open, free and secure” digital future for all people.

By Derechos Digitales

August, 2024

AlSur and its member organizations urge Latin American States not to adopt or ratify the first UN Convention on cybercrime because it contravenes their international human rights obligations.

The elections of July 28th in Venezuela have unleashed a climate of lack of transparency, repression, violence and serious human rights violations. As AlSur Consortium, we join the international voices condemning the abuses of the Venezuelan government and demand guarantees for people to be able to demonstrate, protest and express themselves freely in the country.

To have clarity on the relevant governance forums for Latin America, it must be said, in principle, that they are mostly facilitated by actors promoting the development agenda that seeks to prioritize the economic benefits stemming from the exploitation and production of AI systems with the aim of boosting the economy and labor market. Among these are the BRICS+, ECLAC, and the G20.

diverse that, at times, they can feel overwhelming to those of us closely following the various activities or agendas where AI is discussed with the aim of agreeing on principles, norms, or technical standards and human rights applied to its design, deployment, operation, and uses.

Reflecting on the past year in the field of human rights advocacy in digital environments is an exercise that begins with an analysis of the problems. 2023, like previous years marked by the pandemic and the War in Ukraine, reminded us that complex situations can escalate further. This year showed that, when it seems that challenges cannot increase, new scenarios always arise to complicate everything.

The human catastrophe that is occurring in the Gaza Strip and that has escalated since October 7, 2023, calls us as organizations of the AlSur consortium to make a collective position calling for a ceasefire and attention to the human rights that are currently being violated.