IGF 2020 WS #3 Artificial Intelligence and refugee’s Rights and Protection

Description:

Refugee issue has become globalized, Today It is estimated that today over "65 million people – the largest number since the Second World War – are refugees or internally displaced people" (United Nations High Commission for Refugees ). A recent report from the UNHCR: "Connecting Refugees: How Internet and Mobile Connectivity Can Improve Refugee Well-being and Transform Humanitarian Action," found that Internet access has become "as vital to them as food, water, or shelter". Internet access and mobile phones play a pivotal role in providing vital information, helping families to stay connected and giving newcomers the necessary tools to being able to start a new life in another part of the world. However, large numbers of the refugee population lack digital networks and infrastructure, face unaffordable connectivity or imposed restrictions to their fully participation in the online environment. The “Refugee crisis” highlighted connectivity and accountability issues and over the last few years we have seen international organisations, civil society, private sector and members of the technical community working on refugee camps developing digital tools (blockchain technologies, biometric records, etc) that collect Refugees data to help respond to the daily needs of the growing community. as refugees lives in Era of Artificial Intelligence technology It's already profoundly affecting fields as diverse as health care, education, law enforcement, sales, and many others AI technologies that can perform portions of human activities have been advancing quickly especially big data and machine learning. AI has the power to do profound good by saving lives and reducing the cost of essential services. In other hand AI generates challenges for human rights in general and for refuges in particular , it has the potential to negatively affect many aspects of our lives, and that does include refugee’s rights. AI technologies have a deleterious impact on the right to privacy. In Africa and MENA region the countries use the legislations to control and prevent access to information and knowledge , in some cases refugees has been deported after he/she got access to information through the internet. Definitely AI application has a role on access to the data of the refugee and asylum seekers which in some times lead to abuse the refugees international protection but in other hand AI has an opportunities and positive impact on their life. All digital rights ( access to information , freedom of expression , freedom of association etc.,), are basically human rights in the internet era that founded and protected under international human rights instrument particularly the human rights declaration ,(ICCPR) international Convention for civil and political rights , (ICESCR ) International Convention for Economic , Social and Culture Rights. as well as the regional human rights conventions such as African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, under the African Union. In spot of increasing conduct our lives online with governmental surveillance and massive deployment of surveillance technologies with using or AI software, against activities, journalists etc.., the right to privacy and freedom of expression are becoming subject to violation. Taking on consideration that the majority of refugees these days hosted in many authoritarian countries specially in Africa and MENA region . the rapid pace of technological development enables individuals all over the world to use new information and communication technologies and at the same time enhances the capacity of governments, companies and individuals to undertake surveillance, interception and data collection, which may violate or abuse human rights, in particular the right to privacy, as set out in article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and is therefore an issue of increasing concern, the violations and abuses of the right to privacy in the digital age may affect all individuals, including with particular effects on women, as well as children and those who are vulnerable or marginalized, in particular refugees and asylum seekers. The digital rights and right to privacy effected by AI technology and application, But the situation become more sensitive in case of refugees and asylum seeker, especially if the impact of AI might lead to the detention or/ and deportation of refugees and asylum seekers back to their country of origin which might put their life at risk of torture and /or murder. Legal, Ethical and Social implications surrounding AI technologies are attracting attention internationally to discuss opportunities and concerns regarding AI technologies. Session agenda (subject to minimal changes) is designed to ensure the interactions between the panel and audience so the agenda will be as follow 1. Open remarkets by moderator with introduction to speakers. 2. Short Opening statement by speakers 3. Presentation and intervention by half of speakers 4. First round of questions, comments and discussion 5. Presentation and intervention by remain speakers 6. Second round of questions, comments and discussion 7. Open floor discussion 8. Short Closing statement and conclusion by moderator and short closing statement by speakers.