Toward the Tenth Summit of the Americas: Concerns and Suggestions from Civil Society

Sure, here’s the translation into American English:

The heads of state and government of the Americas will gather this December in the Dominican Republic to celebrate the Tenth Summit of the Americas. This important event, part of the Summit of the Americas process initiated in 1994, will address the challenges and opportunities facing nations in the region. This year’s theme is “Building a Safe and Sustainable Hemisphere with Shared Prosperity.”

In the lead-up to the summit, more than twenty civil society organizations have presented a joint contribution highlighting the intersection between technology and human rights. Although the summit’s conceptual document does not explicitly mention the role of digital technologies, it emphasizes that their use and development are cross-cutting issues that will complement the policies and actions discussed at the meeting.

The document’s content points out that people in the Americas, like in other parts of the world, are living through times of uncertainty and facing geopolitical, socioeconomic, and environmental challenges that require urgent measures to ensure human security across various dimensions. It identifies four critical areas: citizen security, food security, energy security, and water security.

The evolution of digital technologies is presented as a potential tool to positively impact these areas of concern, although challenges associated with their use are also evident. For example, artificial intelligence can help predict demand peaks and manage energy flows, but the infrastructure required for its implementation may create issues in the realm of energy security.

In the context of Latin America, it is essential to safeguard rights against the risks and harmful effects that have already been documented regarding citizen security. Excessive surveillance, driven by digital technologies, remains a recurring problem in the region, linked to a culture of secrecy that hinders the establishment of effective privacy safeguards.

The document proposes the creation of a Hemispheric Platform for Citizen and Community Security Action. This step must be approached carefully to avoid reinforcing existing problems. It is essential that the conception of security adopted at the summit is oriented towards human development, the protection of rights, and the promotion of social well-being, prioritizing historically marginalized groups.

Finally, the joint contribution advocates for strengthening the digital civic space and addressing the challenges arising from increased state surveillance capabilities. It also underscores the obligation of states to comply with the standards of the Inter-American Human Rights System and proposes a human rights-centered approach to state digitalization and innovation. This perspective is key for ensuring that the discussions and agreements of the summit align with a genuine commitment to justice and the well-being of people.

via: MiMub in Spanish

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