On June 27, as part of the Internet Freedom Summit, the Metamorphosis Foundation organized a panel discussion on digital equality, stimulating discussion on the protection of human rights online in North Macedonia and the Western Balkans through the prism of women and the LGBTI+ community.
This session addressed the critical intersection of human rights and digital environments in North Macedonia and the Western Balkans, with a particular focus on how these issues impact marginalized groups, including women and the LGBTI+ community. Through discussion, attendees discussed the challenges these groups face online, from unequal treatment to targeted attacks in the digital space. By examining current legal and societal frameworks, as well as gaps in protection mechanisms and their implementation, this discussion fostered a deeper understanding of the steps necessary to ensure that digital rights are universally upheld.
Through expert insights and interactive dialogue, participants shared strategies for improving policies, advocacy efforts, and community engagement to create a truly inclusive digital landscape that respects all human rights online. Panelists included Natasha Petkovska from the Helsinki Committee for Human Rights (North Macedonia), Maja Bjeloš from the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy (Serbia), hvale vale from the Association for Progressive Communications (APC), and Meri Jordanovska from News Agency Meta.mk (North Macedonia), along with moderator Mila Josifovska Danilovska from the Metamorphosis Foundation.
“The impact of the misuse of new technologies on human rights, especially on marginalized communities, knows no borders and is a universal challenge that affects the entire society. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN)’s 2023 Annual Report on Digital Rights in the Western Balkans notes a doubling of digital rights violations from 782 in 2022 to 1,427 in 2023, with hate speech and discrimination, digital manipulation, and computer fraud being the most common,” shared Josifovska Danilovska.
She added that in today’s context, marked by the misuse of social media and technology to undermine human rights, especially those of marginalized communities, as well as the current trend of the rise of the right in the region and the EU, which signals a potential backlash against women’s rights and the LGBTI+ community, it is truly important to establish appropriate mechanisms to ensure a safe digital environment for all.
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