Mr. President,

The Kingdom of the Netherlands aligns itself with the EU statement. We thank the Secretary-General and the High Commissioner and his Office for the reports under Item 3.

In many of these reports, specific attention has been placed on the digital aspects of the various human rights topics, addressed by them. 

We welcome this approach. 

As digital technologies permeate every aspect of our daily lives, it is important to pay due attention to the impact they have on the promotion, protection and fulfillment of all human rights. Both the positive as well as negative impact.

In this regard, we reaffirm the Netherlands longstanding position that human rights apply online in the same way as they do offline.

The use of digital technologies drives economic growth and social progress. That is why we must close all digital divides. Harnessing digital technologies, including Artificial Intelligence, for development can be a catalyst for achieving the SDGs. But only if we together chart a global course for digital governance that is grounded in human rights. 

Digital technologies have already opened up new opportunities for many. As the High Commissioner’s report on solutions to promote digital education for young people states digital devices, connectivity and skills contribute to the right to education and potential benefits include improving access to and the quality of education, implementing inclusive learning methodologies. 

It is equally clear, however, that the use of digital technologies also poses threats, for example when digital surveillance is employed or online content is censored or manipulated. 

That is why the Kingdom of the Netherlands will always emphasize the need to take a human rights based approach to digital technologies because when governed in a human rights respecting way, digital technologies can work for the benefit of us all, and avoid the deepening of inequalities between and within countries. 

Thank you Mr. President.