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Agenda:
Evaluating the impact of State-Imposed Censorship and Surveillance on freedom of Expression, access to information, and academic freedom
In an increasingly digital and interconnected world, state-imposed censorship and surveillance have emerged as critical tools employed by governments to regulate information and maintain national security. This emerging scope threatens the fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, access to information, right to privacy, etc, of millions of people around the globe. Across various regions, restrictive media laws, internet shutdowns, content filtering mechanisms, and mass surveillance technologies have kept citizens and the global media in the dark, hiding vital information and have also limited the ability of individuals, journalists, and scholars to express defiance freely. Additionally, as AI becomes an integral part of surveillance, the line between protecting civil liberties and state overreach blurs. These measures continue to shape political, social, and economic landscapes; therefore, it becomes imperative for the international community to assess their implications and work towards establishing a balanced framework that safeguards national interests while upholding universal human rights.
Paridhi Yadav
Chairperson, UNHRC
My name is Paridhi Yadav, and I feel honoured to serve as the chairperson of the United Nations Human Rights Council at the Emerald Heights Model United Nations 2026. I am passionate about physics, literature and debating. I am usually engaged in academic writing or solving PCM problems, while also exploring a newfound interest in Arduino and technology. I am incredibly excited to serve as your chairperson and witness three days of intense debates and discussions!
This year, the junior committee will deliberate on the escalating issue of state-imposed censorship and surveillance around the world, with a specific focus on comprehending its impact on fundamental freedoms such as freedom of speech, freedom of expression, access to information, right to privacy, etc. The primary responsibility of the committee is to come to a consensus which ensures free speech, safety of journalists, cautious use of AI in digital monitoring and the confidentiality of private data of the citizens. In order to do so, the committee will have to assess the boundaries within which monitoring and control of information can be justified, identify instances of misuse and work towards establishing balanced frameworks that ensure both national security and civil liberties. While upholding their stances in the conference, the delegates must remember the human rights dimensions of the agenda.