Human Rights in Immersive Realities (XR): Freedom of Expression, Justice, Children's Rights and Well-Being

Immersive technologies such as virtual, augmented and mixed reality (XR) are increasingly shaping how individuals communicate, express themselves, interact with public authorities and participate in democratic life. While these technologies offer new opportunities for creativity, inclusion and participation, they also raise emerging challenges for human rights, democratic values and the rule of law.

Building on the 2023 Council of Europe- IEEE report on the Metaverse and the Feasibility Study on Freedom of Expression in Immersive Realities adopted by the Steering Committee on Media and Information Society (CDMSI), this conference is conceived as a concrete follow-up to one of the study’s key conclusions: the need to continue and strengthen the Council of Europe’s alerting and awareness-raising function vis-à-vis member States at a stage when immersive technologies are still evolving. The conference also contributes to the consultation process towards a New Democratic Pact, by addressing how emerging technologies may affect democratic participation, trust in information spaces, inclusion, human dignity and the effective enjoyment of human rights.