Cybercrime, climate change new threats to human rights: President Murmu-OxBig News Network

President Droupadi Murmu highlighted cybercrime and climate change as emerging threats to human rights, noting that the growing significance of artificial intelligence (AI) means the culprit could be a non-human but intelligent agent. “As we progress into the future, we are confronted with emerging challenges. Cybercrime and climate change are new threats to human rights,” President Murmu said while addressing the Human Rights Day event organised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

“These challenges underscore the importance of fostering a safe, secure, and equitable digital environment that protects the rights and dignity of every individual. The Information Technology Act (IT Act) of 2000, the IT Rules, 2021, and the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, address the challenges of privacy in the digital age, balancing technological advancement with individual rights,” she said.

“Artificial Intelligence has now entered our day-to-day life, solving many problems and creating several new ones too. The human rights discourse so far has been centred on the human agency, that is, the violator is assumed to be a human being, who would have a range of human emotions such as compassion and guilt. With AI, however, the culprit could be a non-human but an intelligent agent. I leave the matter for you to ponder upon,” the President said.

She said, “The case of climate change too forces us to review the human rights, thinking at the global level. Polluters of a different place and a different era are affecting the lives of people in another place and another period. India, as the voice of Global South, has rightly taken up the leadership in climate action. The government’s initiatives, such as the 2022 Energy Conservation (Amendment) Bill, Green Credit Initiative, and Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) Movement, are clear demonstrations of India’s commitment to building a clean and green planet for future generations.”

Human Rights Day is observed on December 10 every year to commemorate the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), which was adopted and proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948. Shombi Sharp, UN resident coordinator in India, read out the message of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the occasion.

“Today, as one reflects on the ideals enshrined in UDHR adopted on this day in 1948, we reaffirm our collective resolve to contribute to building a world where justice and human dignity are the bedrock of society,” she said.

“India today stands as a “shining example” where “great initiatives are being taken by the government” for poverty alleviation, eradication of hunger by providing free food to the underprivileged, and offering equal opportunities to the youth to realise their dreams,” President Murmu said, adding, “India, with its civilisational heritage spanning over 5,000 years, has long upheld values of empathy, compassion, and the interconnectedness of individuals within a harmonious community.”

Noting that India had an elderly population of around 150 million by 2022, and is projected to reach 350 million by 2050, she said it is imperative “that we formulate policies and take measures that preserve their dignity and ensure their wellbeing, empowering them to live full lives as valuable members of our society”.