About the Statement:

Issued by the Union Association for Human Rights in cooperation with an organization holding consultative status, the written statement was submitted to the United Nations Human Rights Council at its 59th session (June–July 2025). It addresses the crucial topic of:

“Promoting International Protection and the Rule of Law in the Digital Space”

Contents of the Statement:

First: Background and importance of the issue

• The statement commends the efforts of the Human Rights Council in promoting the principles of justice, judicial independence, and the rule of law.
• It stresses the importance of guaranteeing the right to litigation and international justice, especially for human rights defenders subjected to systematic violations in the digital space.

Second: Violations against human rights defenders

• The statement notes that smear campaigns and electronic abuse target human rights defenders, particularly after they participate in UN Human Rights Council sessions.
• It confirms that some entities use major digital and media platforms to defame, intimidate, and prevent these activists from performing their roles.
• It considers these acts a blatant violation of the UN Charter and a breach of human rights.

Third: Absence of a specialized UN mechanism

• The statement highlights a global institutional gap concerning the intersection of digital justice and human rights.
• It calls for the creation of new UN mechanisms to protect human rights defenders in the digital space.

Fourth: Recommendations

• Strengthen international protection for defenders by developing effective oversight mechanisms and establishing a Special Rapporteur on protecting defenders in the digital space.
• Urge states to assume legal responsibility for what is published on their territory or via their platforms, and to enact laws criminalizing digital assaults.
• Launch independent investigations to identify those responsible for punitive campaigns and hold both governmental and non-governmental entities accountable.
• Expand the legal framework for accountability after defenders engage with UN mechanisms by forming a specialized fact-finding committee.
• Strengthen the Human Rights Council’s mandate to hold states accountable for any reprisals against those cooperating with UN mechanisms.

Fifth: Commendation of the UAE

• Providing justice mechanisms and legal protection.
• Supporting human rights defenders.
• Criminalizing online abuse and fostering a safe digital environment.

Importance of the Statement:

• It reflects an evolved understanding of the relationship between justice and human rights in the digital environment.
• It clearly calls for organized UN action to address assaults on human rights defenders in cyberspace — a modern and increasingly global concern.
• It presents the UAE as a positive, active model in the field of digital rule of law and cybercrime prevention.