THE Executive Director of Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim- Oharie (left); Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot; Country Director of ASF France, Nigeria, Mrs Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu; Executive Director of CITAD, Dr Yinusa Z’au and Representative of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Mrs WynyFred Achu-Egbuson at the conference.
Stakeholders have advocated the promotion of digital rights, while criticising recent repressive tendencies against freedom of expression by Nigerian government agencies.
These concerns were expressed at the European Union-funded conference on digital rights organised in Abuja by Avocats Sans Frontières (ASF) France through its e-Rights project in collaboration with the Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) and Spaces for Change (S4C).
The theme of the conference is “Advancing Digital Rights: Fortifying Governance, Expanding Access and Safeguarding Civic Freedoms in a Digital Society.”
During the event, the Country Director of ASF France, Nigeria, Mrs Angela Uwandu Uzoma-Iwuchukwu, said that digital rights are fundamental human rights that should be promoted and protected.
She emphasised the importance of the e-right project in educating and empowering young people to exercise their digital rights.
Uzoma-Iwuchukwu emphasised that the project also addresses human rights violations on digital platforms and aims to create a broader impact that extends beyond the national level.
According to her, the project has engaged in extensive public outreach and training, including working with judges and lawyers to strengthen their understanding of digital rights.
The need for legislative reforms and the challenges of keeping up with technological advancements were also discussed, emphasising the importance of balancing legislation with innovation.
Keynote speaker, Prof Adedeji Adekunle (SAN) stressed the importance of expanding access and safeguarding civic freedoms in a digital society.
The former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies and Research Lead at the Juritrust Centre for Socio-Legal Research and Documentation highlighted the need to open up the digital space rather than stifle it with overregulation.
The Executive Director of CITAD, Dr Yinusa Z’au, noted the increasing awareness of digital rights at the policy level but also highlighted government backlash and repression against freedom of expression.
He emphasised the importance of public awareness and resistance to repression, particularly in the digital space.
Ambassador of the EU Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, pointed out the global challenge of balancing privacy rights, security and digital rights.
He provided some background information on the ongoing Digital Rights in Nigeria Human Rights Project, initiated by the OECD in February 2020 to drive technological and developmental reforms.
He stressed that the e-Rights project aims to advance human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria, emphasising the protection of human rights offenders and the general population.
Mignot said the launch of the project before the 2027 general election will enable citizens’ engagement with legislators and government representatives.
He said: “Since its inception in 2023, the project has conducted awareness campaigns on digital rights for the public and provided training to judges, lawyers, journalists, and human rights activists in target states and the FCT at different levels- sub-national, national, and regional.
“It also developed a draft digital reform policy guide and established a situational group to facilitate discussions and collaborations among authorities, experts, and digital practitioners.
“Collaboration with various stakeholders has been a fundamental part of the e-Rights project from the outset.”
Mignot acknowledged the engagement of stakeholders such as Paradigm Initiative, Access Now, the Nigerian Bar Association, the National Assembly, media outlets, the National Human Rights Commission, State Information Judiciaries, the Nigerian Data Protection Commission, and the National Information Technology Development Agency, among others.
He expressed confidence that the project’s impact would continue through ongoing engagement with stakeholders despite its formal conclusion.
Similarly, the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Dr Tony Ojukwu (SAN), emphasised the commission’s commitment to the United Nations’ Business and Human Rights framework to develop national plans for human rights and business protection.
He underscored the importance of digital rights, corporate responsibilities and access to justice.
The Executive Director of Spaces for Change, Victoria Ibezim-Oharie, discussed the growing use of technology, particularly Artificial intelligence, and the need to protect vulnerable communities through a balanced approach.
She emphasised the constitutional rights of Nigerians and the importance of ensuring safe online spaces to minimise risks associated with digital technologies.
The legal adviser at NDPC, Olamilekan Bakare, highlighted the challenges of digital rights, citing issues like digital literacy, data misuse, cyber harassment, and privacy concerns.
He stressed the need for accountability, transparency, and responsible governance in the digital space to safeguard citizens’ rights effectively.
Kunle Oludare from the Internet Society advocated digital sovereignty and emphasised the importance of educating people on privacy rights.
He called for collaboration to protect digital freedoms and promote inclusive access to digital opportunities.
Chairman of the House Special Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Akintunde Rotimi, discussed the National Assembly’s commitment to addressing digital rights issues and promoting innovation while protecting individual rights.
According to him, there should be legislative efforts to advance governance, ensure access to digital infrastructure, and regulate emerging technologies like artificial intelligence.
The discussion also touched on government attacks on digital rights and the cultural factors influencing public discourse and accountability.
Overall, the conference highlighted the importance of digital rights in today’s society and the need for continued advocacy, education and collaboration to protect these rights.
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