Impact of artificial intelligence on human rights was discussed at the international conference in Brussels

The impact of artificial intelligence on human rights, building much stronger human rights institutions (NHRIs), effectively ensuring social-economic rights and other global topics were discussed at the next annual international conference held by the European Network of Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI) in Brussels, Belgium. The Head of the International Relations Unit of the Ombudsman Office, Zaur Valimammadli took part at this event, which was also attended by chairpersons or staff members of NHRIs from 30 countries, also representatives of the CoE, EU, UN, OSCE and other international organizations.

In his speech, Z. Valimammadli noted the necessity of discussing the impacts of artificial intelligence or robots on human rights in the modern development process. He mentioned that artificial intelligence is found as a decision-making mechanism in various spheres of public life and is indirectly affecting human rights in a certain sense. From this point of view, he stressed upon the role of NHRIs in this field.

The representative of the Office also noted that formation and effective functioning of E-government, the positive effect of integration to Open Government Partnership on ensuring human rights and development of democracy. It was also mentioned that formation of E-government was based on the international practice and establishment of relevant basis for that, also the activity of the State Agency for Public Service and Social Innovations under the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan has been evaluated as a positive practice in the international area.

Z. Valimammadli also brought into attention the visit of the world’s first humanoid robot Sophia to Azerbaijan. He mentioned that the robot got familiar with the ASAN Service model, also evaluated the Service as a very modern, convenience and citizen-oriented one. At the same time, the online application to the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Institution was also integrated to the E-government portal and is actively used by population.

Within the conference, the representative also delivered a speech at the session on implementation of recommendations addressed to NHRIs of the CoE member states by noting essence of NHRIs’ role in ensuring human rights, strengthening democracy and rule of law.

He noted that the Azerbaijani Ombudsman Institution is recognized by the UN as the only NHRI acting in the country and it takes part actively in the international mechanisms with this status, presenting written and oral reports regarding different areas of human rights to the UN Human Rights Council.

It was told that adding new rules to the Paris Principles adopted in 1993 by the UN General Assembly would be appropriate.

Z. Valimammadli also underlined that the inclusion of the protection of human rights within the mandate of NHRIs as a main term in the Paris Principles was an important condition, and along with the above noted principles taking into consideration the Venice Principles adopted in 2019 by the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission) with the aim of building much stronger ombudsman institutions, will serve the same purpose.