About OHCHR
The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights. We represent the world's commitment to the promotion and protection of the full range of human rights and freedoms set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.Activities by OHCHR
Development of UN system-wide guidance on human rights diligence in the context of digital technology use
GlobalThis guidance, developed by OHCHR at the request of the Secretary-General, supports all UN entities in implementing and strengthening human rights due diligence policies for the use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Activity Type Policy/Regulatory GuidanceUN General Assembly report of the Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights on digital welfare states and human rights (A/74/493)
GlobalThe Special Rapporteur warns of a digital welfare dystopia in the context of greater digitization of social protection and assistance systems and the increasing role played by automated decision-making through the use of algorithms and artificial intelligence.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory GuidanceAwareness/AdvocacyHuman Rights Council report of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities (A/HRC/49/52)
GlobalThe Special Rapporteur provides a study on artificial intelligence and the rights of persons with disabilities. The report examines the opportunities and the risks posed by AI technology and emphasizes that the practical benefits may be realized once human rights risks are sufficiently addressed.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsReport on the right to privacy in the digital age
GlobalThis report examines recent trends and challenges regarding the right to privacy. It focuses on the abuse of intrusive hacking tools, the role of encryption, and wide-spread monitoring of public spaces using artificial intelligence, highlighting the risk of creating systems of pervasive surveillance.
Activity Type Research/Reports/AssessmentsPolicy/Regulatory Guidance