HRC 52: Annual discussion on Rights of the Child. “Rights of the Child and the Digital Environment

13 March, 2023

Moderator,

Armenia thanks all the panelists and welcomes the comprehensive discussion on this crucial topic.

In today's rapidly changing digital world, the internet has become an indispensable tool for learning, communication and entertainment. However, with the increasing use of digital technologies, we also acknowledge the emergence of new unprecedented challenges that threaten the safety and well-being of children.

We believe that the respect, protection and promotion of children's rights in the digital environment requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach involving governments, international organizations, civil society, academia, the private sector, including the tech industry.

These efforts should aim at awareness raising, education, policy planning, enhancing legal and regulatory framework. They may entail appropriate participation of children in decision-making processes, partnership building, monitoring and evaluation, emergency response and data collection, as well as swift reactions to the violations of rights of child in the digital space.

The digital safety of child is a serious concern in situations of crisis, conflicts and wars. In one of the most recent cases the digital privacy of children traveling to Nagorno-Karabakh have been infringed upon by a group of Azerbaijanis, who wearing masks stopped the bus and intimidated 19 children on board. They took videos of children without acquiring permission from them or their legal guardians. They subsequently disseminated the footage on social networks without covering the faces of children. Nobody has been held accountable for this violation of the rights of children.

The right to privacy of children in the digital age should be at the forefront of our efforts and such heinous incidents should be adequately addressed.

This harassment took place on the only road that connects Nagorno-Karabakh to outside world, namely the Lachin corridor. Azerbaijan has been blocking it since December 2022. In this regard the UNICEF echoed the appeal of the UN SG to ensure freedom and security of movement along the Lachin corridor, in line with previous agreements. The UNICEF added that this is critical to ensure that international obligations to protect children are met.

I thank you.

MFA RA
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