A/76/380
human rights. Stakeholders submit that these conversion practices, though ineffectual,
could violate freedom of thought as they attempt to coercively alter or punish the
thoughts of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals. 180
VII. Good practices
84. The Special Rapporteur notes that several States have taken steps to recognize,
protect and fulfil the right to freedom of thought. Among others, the constitutions of
Azerbaijan, Iraq and Kyrgyzstan explicitly protect the freedom 181 and at least eight
other States protect freedom of thought through its relationship with other rights such
as freedom of religion or belief, privacy or freedom of expression. 182 Chile and Spain
have proposed “neurorights” legislation, 183 although some express concern that
Chile’s model would inhibit neurotechnology innovation in prohibiting commerce of
“neurodata” (data obtained from the brain). 184
85. Several States worldwide have undertaken efforts to protect against coercion in
the provision of mental health treatment. 185 WHO and the European Commission
jointly publish good practices to empower people with mental illness or degenerative
cognitive conditions, promote social inclusion and combat stigma concerning mental
health. 186
86. The Special Rapporteur notes efforts to promote communication and plurality
of information sources, including the “Swiss Digital” strategy, in Switzerland, and
the activities of the Independent Broadcasting Authority of Mauritius. 187 To facilitate
communication between diverse communities, Iraq promotes minority languages
throughout its public education system, several States conduct interfaith workshops,
and Doha International Centre for Interfaith Dialogue provides a platform for some
religious or belief minorities to voice their beliefs. 188
87. Several major digital technology companies have made efforts to: (a) increase
users’ control over the collection, storage and use of their personal data; (b) tackle
disinformation by linking to reputable news websites, fact-checking or suggesting
that users read entire articles for context; and (c) allow users to check why they are
viewing specific content. Some social media companies have established
advertisement archives and libraries, which facilitate some external scrutiny. 189
Whether to ensure legal compliance or not, some digital tec hnology companies,
including Google, have increased safety measures for children, such as banning online
targeted advertising for children based on their age, gender or interests, or
deactivating the feature that automatically plays suggested videos. 190
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183
184
185
186
187
188
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Submission from GIN-SSOGIE, NPC; consultation with religious or belief communities; see also
A/HRC/44/53.
Submissions from Azerbaijan, Iraq and Kyrgyzstan.
Submissions from Andorra, Cambodia, Israel, Mauritius, Peru, Poland, Qatar and Switzerland.
See https://www.senado.cl/noticias/neuroderechos/proteccion-los-datos-neuronales-en-laconstitucion-pasara-a-comision-mixta; see also https://www.reuters.com/article/us-global-techrights-idUSKBN28D3HK.
Consultation on psychology and neuroscience.
E.g. Italy, Finland, Norway and Sweden. See, e.g., A/HRC/44/48, para. 13; and
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7032511/.
See https://www.euro.who.int/__data/assets/pdf_file/0009/128088/Factsheet_MNH_
Empowerment.pdf.
Submissions from Switzerland and Mauritius.
Submissions from Iraq and Qatar.
A/HRC/47/25, para. 68.
See https://blog.google/technology/families/giving-kids-and-teens-safer-experience-online/.
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