Speaking to participants of the conference entitled "Protection of Human Rights in the Age of Digitisation and Social Media", Slovenian Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina, in his role as the new President of the Association of Mediterranean Ombudsmen, said "It is imperative to develop and implement new human rights frameworks that will keep pace with technological progress. The United Nations Recommendations on Artificial Intelligence, the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act and the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law provide valuable guidelines for the design of ethical AI systems and the protection of fundamental rights. Cooperation between governments, technology companies, civil society, and international bodies is essential for the establishment of effective management and the prevention of abuses." He called on his colleagues, as representatives of institutions for the protection of human rights, to urge the member states of the Council of Europe to sign and ratify the convention.

Ombudsman Svetina addressed the gathering at the opening of the conference, which was prepared by the Commissioner for Management and Protection of Human Rights of the Republic of Cyprus, Maria Stylianou-Lottides, on 25 and 26 September, in Paphos, Cyprus, together with the Association. He stressed that in the intertwining of the digital and physical world, it is necessary to find solutions that take into account both the right to freedom of expression and the right to protect individual dignity. He reminded the participants of the growing digital divide in the world and the necessary steps to reduce it, and in the panel discussion he paid special attention to the issue of vulnerable groups in the digital space. On the sidelines of the conference, the Board of Directors and the extraordinary General Assembly of the Association also met.

In his opening address to the conference participants, Ombudsman Peter Svetina said that social media platforms have not only become tools for communication, but are often also venues where rights can be asserted, threatened, or violated. On the one hand, they can amplify individual voices, build communities, and empower marginalised groups, but they are also breeding grounds for misinformation, cyberbullying, hate speech, and privacy violations. He recalled that personal data has become a precious commodity, often collected, stored, and used without the full understanding or consent of individuals. Their collection and misuse, however, pose a threat to privacy, which in turn also threatens the rights to freedom, security, and self-expression. "It is essential that we strengthen the frameworks to ensure that individuals' data are protected, and that individuals' consent to the use of their data is meaningful and given on the basis of credible information and knowledge, and respected by data collectors," said Ombudsman Svetina. At the same time, he emphasised that issues of disinformation, hate speech, and extremist content must also be dealt with decisively, while at the same time ensuring that efforts to regulate online content will not stifle legitimate expression or censor dissenters. "Finding a balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility to prevent harm is not an easy task, but it demands our attention," said the new AOM President Svetina.

In his view, it is also imperative to address the widening digital divide, as many benefit from technological and consequent digital advances, while millions around the world remain excluded as they lack access to the technology, education, or skills needed to participate in the digital world. "Ensuring equal access to the Internet and digital tools for all people is not only a matter of economic progress, but also of human rights. If we want to create a truly just society, digital inclusion must be a priority," he underlined.

In the panel discussion entitled Managing new challenges in the field of human rights in the era of rapid development of artificial intelligence and other technologies, Ombudsman Svetina also paid special attention to the issue of vulnerable groups in the digital space. He is convinced that artificial intelligence can improve many areas of life, and potential threats and weaknesses can be overcome with policies and tools that enable individuals to fully participate in the digital world. Defective artificial intelligence tools can deny opportunities to those who are already pushed to the edge of society, so in order to avoid discrimination even in the digital world, strict control and constant evaluation of artificial intelligence systems is necessary, he added.

The Ombudsman is convinced that this requires strong political will and a commitment to invest in promoting accessibility and supporting independent living in the communities themselves, and it is also essential to actively involve disabled people and their representative organisations in the formulation of policies and the development of artificial intelligence systems, so that compliance with ethical principles is ensured. International cooperation will be crucial to ensure that technological progress benefits everyone, the Ombudsman believes.

“The digital world has enormous potential for good, but it is our responsibility to ensure that it remains a place where human dignity, freedom, and equality are guaranteed for all. Let's work together for a digital future that will be fair, inclusive, and will respect the rights of every individual," Slovenian Ombudsman and President of the Mediterranean Association of Ombudsmen Peter Svetina emphasised at the conference in Cyprus.

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The Mediterranean Association of Ombudsmen connects more than 30 countries from the region with different responsibilities in relation to the authorities. The common goal of the Association is the effective protection and promotion of human rights in the Mediterranean through cooperation and exchange of expererience. The Slovenian Human Rights Ombudsman Peter Svetina was elected the first Slovenian Ombudsman to head the Association on 3 September 2024.