UN: Human rights concerns in the case of the founder of the Telegram network

2024-09-03 22:48:52, Kosova & Bota CNA

UN: Human rights concerns in the case of the founder of the Telegram network

Pavel Durov, source: Reuters

The arrest and indictment of Telegram network founder Pavel Durov is a complex case that raises many human rights concerns, the United Nations said on Tuesday.

Russian-born Pavel Durov, founder of the popular but controversial app, was sensationally arrested on August 24 at Le Bourget airport near Paris. He has been charged with a number of violations related to the Telegram application. He has been banned from leaving France.

Many questions have been raised about the timing and circumstances of Mr. Durov's detention. Supporters see the 39-year-old Durov as a champion of free speech, but critics see him as a menace who deliberately allowed the Telegram network to get out of control.

"This is a very complex case, which raises many human rights concerns ," said Ravina Shamdasani, spokeswoman for the UN Human Rights Office.

She said during a press conference that the Geneva-based agency was considering publishing a document that defines "the parameters within which these situations should be examined."

She also mentioned the recent blocking of the X network in Brazil. Brazil's Supreme Court on Monday ratified the decision of one of its judges to suspend the social media platform for suspected legal violations.

Brazil's suspension of the X network "also raises similar concerns for states that have a duty to ensure that social media platforms operate under the law that allows for freedom of expression," but subject to certain restrictions, spokeswoman Shamdasani said.

She called for any restrictions imposed to be "proportionate" and "in line with international human rights standards".

"We are following this case and currently it is difficult to be more specific" about the case and the accusations against Mr. Durov, because the UN Office for Human Rights does not have access "to the complete data".

She said states should be able to pass laws on the use of social platforms, but the rules should be consistent with international human rights law.

"The principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, hate speech, incitement to hatred or violence, harmful disinformation, must find a solution ," she said.

In November 2022, UN human rights chief Volker Turk wrote to the owner of the X network asking him to put respect for human rights at the heart of the social platform.

In an open letter, he warned against the spread of hate speech and misinformation while stressing the need to protect users' privacy./ VOA