The Spread of Conspiracy Myths Online: What are the Implications for Human Rights?

On March 4th, the World Jewish Congress, the Universal Rights Group, and the UN University for Peace hosted an event entitled The Spread of Conspiracy Myths Online: What are the Implications for Human Rights?

The event explored the global rise of conspiracy myths, including in the context of the present pandemic and of rising threats to democracy (e.g. the QAnon conspiracy theory in the US), and its nexus with antisemitism and the targeting of other minorities. Media reports point to the growing influence and reach of such myths in the digital world, as well as the deepening impact on human rights of the broader phenomenon of digital disinformation. The panel of experts will discuss the different facets of this phenomenon, its consequences for economic, social, civil and political rights, and also offer ideas on how to remedy this situation, from a human rights perspective.  

Speakers include:

• Umej Singh Bhatia, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Singapore
• Ahmed Shaheed, UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief
  
• Irene Khan, UN Special Rapporteur on the freedom of opinion and expression
  
• Jonathan Bright, Senior Research Fellow at Oxford Internet Institute
  
• Guilherme Canela, Chief of Section of Freedom of Expression, UNESCO
  
• David Fernández Puyana, Ambassador, UN University for Peace
  
• Marc Limon, Executive Director, Universal Rights Group