A Journey into Cyberspace and Its Effect on the Right to Development

Abstract

The Internet has the potential to be an instrumental tool in reporting human rights violations, enforcing the law, and implementing human rights protections. The nature of the Internet is such that it promotes anonymity, thereby allowing the release of information. While there are many obstacles that limit the use of the Internet, the potential is there for the Internet to assist in alleviating human rights abuses globally. This Comment focuses on the right to development, and how the Internet can support and enforce this right. Specifically, the Internet has opened channels for freedom of expression, a fundamental right to obtain any sort of development. Globalization of the world’s marketplace has expanded as the Internet has grown. Globalization has brought economic resources to some countries, and the result, economic success, has become a means for development. Lastly, international organizations, such as the U.N. and USAID, as well as nongovernmental organizations and multinational entities can play a significant role in bringing needed resources to developing countries to implement modern technology, which in return will have an impact on the promotion of human rights.