HRC49 - NB8 statement - ID w Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy

Human Rights Council – 49th session

Interactive Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy

Statement by Latvia on behalf of the Nordic Baltic countries

10. March 2022

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the Nordic Baltic States: [Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and my own country – Latvia.]

We warmly welcome you, Madam Special Rapporteur, and thank you for presenting your first report to this Council.

Our countries attach great importance to the promotion and protection of all human rights, both online and offline, including each individual person’s right to privacy. The right to privacy is also essential to the realization and enjoyment of many other rights, including the rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and of association.

We welcome the conclusion in your report that the existing mechanism for cooperation between Ibero-America and Europe on personal data protection could serve as a model for the development of privacy and data protection principles in the global context.

As noted in the report, the pandemic has rapidly led to technology being closely integrated into our daily lives, and this has increased risks for information security, privacy and personal data processing. However, establishing a common understanding and application of the privacy and data protection principles could ensure that the technology is used in a manner that prioritises and safeguards privacy.

Madam Special Rapporteur, what steps can be taken to ensure integration and harmonization of these principles on a global level?