UN Human Rights Council Side Event: Digital Innovation, New Technologies and the Right to Health

Event description

Event date: 23 June 2023, 13:00–14:30 CEST

The utilisation of AI and digital systems to improve access to healthcare services has been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications for tracking, platforms for information sharing, telemedicine, and other digital health solutions have experienced significant growth, positively impacting people’s quality of life. However, the deployment of these technologies in most countries lacks clear legal or normative frameworks to safeguard human rights, including accessibility, acceptability, quality, and non-discrimination.

The event will introduce a new thematic report to the UN Human Rights Council, focusing on digital innovation, technologies, and the right to health (A/HRC/53/65). The report is authored by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right of Everyone to the Enjoyment of the Highest Attainable Standard of Physical and Mental Health. Distinguished panellists will reflect on the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations and identify key priorities for action to develop robust global, regional, and national standards rooted in human rights principles for digital health. The event is organised by the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN) in collaboration with the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+), Privacy International, STOPAIDS, and the Global Health Centre of the Geneva Graduate Institute.

For more information, and to register, please visit the official page.