A growing awareness of the potential and existence of problems of technology impacting human rights led the United Nations General Assembly to proclaim in 1975 a Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace for the Benefit of Mankind. This Declaration acknowledges the important role that science and technology can take in social and economic progress, including via technology transfer, while also noting with concern, for example, “that scientific and technological achievements can be used to intensify the arms race, suppress national liberation movements and deprive individuals and peoples of their human rights and fundamental freedoms”. (UN, 1975)

The Declaration calls upon all states to “take appropriate measures to prevent the use of scientific and technological developments […] to limit or interfere with the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms of the individual as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant international instruments.” The Declaration also calls upon all states “to cooperate in the establishment, strengthening, and development of the scientific and technological capacity of developing countries with a view to accelerating the realization of social and economic rights…” (UN, 1975)

 

Source:

UN (1975) Declaration on the Use of Scientific and Technological Progress in the Interests of Peace for the Benefit of Mankind. Proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 3384 (XXX) of 10 November 1975.