A/HRC/56/68
can impact liberty and security of person and have life-and-death consequences for those
from marginalized racial and ethnic groups. Article 6 of the Covenant outlines the inherent
right to life and obligates States to provide legal protections in this regard. Article 7 provides
that no one is to be subjected to torture or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or
punishment. Article 9 provides that everyone has the right to liberty and security of person
and that no one is to be subjected to arbitrary arrest or detention. Article 14 makes clear that
all persons should be equal before the courts and tribunals. Article 26 provides for protection
from discrimination for minority groups. Article 2 (1) of the Covenant establishes an
obligation to ensure the non-discriminatory application of all the provisions of the Covenant.
There are also provisions of the international human rights law framework relating to the use
of artificial intelligence in immigration and border control and in the context of social media.
These are explored in previous reports under the mandate. 89
64.
International human rights law provides that all people who may be subjected to racial
discrimination have a right of access to remedies, which applies in cases in which
discrimination occurs as a result of artificial intelligence. Article 6 of the International
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination provides for the right
of access to effective protection and remedies, through competent national tribunals and other
State institutions. In addition, the General Assembly has recognized five main elements of
the right to a remedy and reparation for victims of gross human rights violations: restitution,
compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction and guarantees of non-repetition.90
65.
Business entities play a significant role in the design and application of artificial
intelligence. They are the main actors in its development and are often contracted by
Governments to deploy it in public sector settings. The Guiding Principles on Business and
Human Rights outline the relevant obligations of Governments and the relevant human rights
responsibilities of both Governments and businesses. The Guiding Principles establish that
States must protect against human rights abuses committed by third parties within their
territory and/or jurisdiction, including business enterprises. States should provide such
protection by ensuring effective policies, legislation, regulations and adjudication, among
other actions. The Guiding Principles establish the responsibility of companies to prevent,
mitigate and remedy human rights violations that they may cause or to which they may
contribute and to conduct human rights due diligence with regard to relevant business
activities.91 In addition, the Guiding Principles establish government obligations and business
responsibilities to ensure access to remedies for business-related human rights violations,
complementing the right to remedy provided for in other standards, as outlined above. The
OHCHR B-Tech project has involved work on guidance and resources for implementing the
Guiding Principles in the technology space, including specific work on artificial
intelligence.92
IV. Conclusions and recommendations
66.
The previous mandate holder issued a clear call to States and other stakeholders,
including business entities, to reject a “colour-blind” approach to the governance and
regulation of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence. She urged States
to regulate these technologies within an approach that recognizes structural racism and
is based on key human rights standards. Nevertheless, the management and regulation
of artificial intelligence largely remain insufficient, inadequately attentive to racial bias
and not reflective of international human rights law standards. This reality persists
89
90
91
92
GE.24-08849
A/75/590 and A/78/538.
Basic Principles and Guidelines on the Right to a Remedy and Reparation for Victims of Gross
Violations of International Human Rights Law and Serious Violations of International Humanitarian
Law, paras. 15–23.
See also United Nations Office on Genocide Prevention and the Responsibility to Protect and
Economic and Social Research Council Human Rights, Big Data and Technology Project, University
of Essex, “Countering and addressing online hate speech: a guide for policy makers and
practitioners”, policy paper, July 2023; and A/74/486, paras. 44 and 45.
See OHCHR, “B-Tech Project: OHCHR and business and human rights”, available at
https://www.ohchr.org/en/business-and-human-rights/b-tech-project.
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