Permanent Mission of Cyprus
Thank you Madame Chair.
Allow me to congratulate you for the chairship of the Forum, as well as the Special Rapporteur on
Minority Issues.
Respecting the right to an open and free Internet, privacy and data protection, while actively
combating hate speech online, cyber crime and terrorist content is a balance that states, among
other stakeholders, including the private sector, as well as multilateral organizations, are contended
with across the world. Furthermore, as artificial intelligence is further developing and applied
across all aspects of our lives, we must assure that balances are eliminated [?] and there is a
significant human centered approach to this regard.
In Cyprus, with [?] of the European Commission, the University of Cyprus together with other
European partners is implementing the programme in innovative monitoring systems and
prevention policies of online hate speech. This issue combines innovative methods of multiple
approach for near real time detection of hate speech, identifying the triggers deconstruction and
weakening of violent narratives and rising media literacy awareness among the general public. The
above complex methodology, the research programme shows the active difficulties the monitoring
and contending with cross border and cross regional activities. It is for this reason that the central
theme of this year’s Forum is so important, ensuring privacy and protection of personal data, while
better understanding the mechanisms by which hate speech spreads online, so we can all
effectively harness the power of multilateralism, combat the climate of fear among targeted
individuals and communities.
Thank you Madame Chair!