Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- The use of strategies and technologies aimed at combating the new coronavirus should not lead to violations of people’s rights to privacy, freedom from discrimination and freedom of expression. Such a statement was made by human rights experts of three international organizations: the UN, OSCE and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, the UN correspondent reports citing a source.

The authors of the statement, they said, share the anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and recognize the need to find ways to protect people’s health and life.

At the same time, the well-being of citizens in such a serious situation depends on whether they have the opportunity to obtain the necessary information about what the danger is and how to protect themselves, their loved ones and neighbors. All people, without exception, have the right to express their opinion and seek and transmit any information through any channels, international human rights activists emphasized and made a number of recommendations to governments.

“Governments are required to provide truthful information about the nature of the threat posed by the coronavirus,” the statement said. This is a requirement of international law, the authors remind, and the information should be provided in an accessible form, taking into account the needs of those who do not have Internet access or are limited in their ability to receive it, including, for example, people with disabilities.

Emphasizing the critical role of the Internet in times of crisis, human rights experts urge governments not to block the Internet, but, on the contrary, to immediately provide the widest possible access to the World Wide Web. “In an emergency when information is vital, broad restrictions on Internet access cannot be justified by considerations of public order or national security,” they say.

“And since we are talking about the importance of information, governments must take exceptional measures to protect journalists and fully implement freedom of information laws, the statement said: “During a public health emergency, journalists have an extremely important function of providing the public with critical information. and following the actions of the government,” the statement added.

The authors of the document also call for "seizing the initiative" from those who disseminate false information that could be detrimental to health, sow panic and provoke unrest.

Therefore, they believe, it is important by all possible means through all available channels to convey to the public the position of the authorities and reliable information. At the same time, it is important not to cross the thin line, and resort to censorship and removal of certain materials only in cases of emergency: “Any attempts to criminalize content related to a pandemic may result in public distrust of official information, impede access to necessary information and extremely adversely affect freedom of expression. ”

The use of technologies to track the spread of coronavirus, which is necessary to combat the pandemic, but should not be used for other purposes that potentially violate people’s right to privacy, freedom from discrimination, and protection of journalistic information sources, is also alarming. In addition, international human rights activists say that the confidentiality of personal data of patients must be strictly observed. They called on governments to use existing technologies only subject to the strictest measures to protect people and their national legislation, which, in turn, should be based on international law.