MTN, rights stakeholders discuss protecting clients online.

The Senior Manager of Corporate Affairs at MTN Cameroon, Marie Germaine Ndzie, supervised exchanges. 

According to the Manager of Environmental, Social and Governance, ESG and Shared Value at MTN Cameroon, Edouard Tamba, the purpose is to ensure due diligence for the respect of the digital space. Such, he said, aligns to international standards.

He noted that at MTN, they are guided by a number of globally defined standards. Among them, Tamba cited the International Bill of Human Rights comprising the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

He also talked of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights among others.

The company, Edouard Tamba, stated has as principles; the respect of the rights of its clients irrespective of race, ethnicity, colour, age, language, religion, sex, culture, political affiliation, disability or other affiliations.

MTN, he said, “… believes in the rights of all using digital communication to freely communicate, share, and receive information. It endeavours to uphold the right to privacy and information security without arbitrary interference…”.

Link between digitalisation & human rights

The Human Rights Officer for the United Nations Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, Fonyuy Kiven, in presentation underscored the need to uphold human rights which are inherent to all men.

Digital human rights, Kiven underscored, encompasses ensuring access, use, creation and publication of digital media.

“In the current era, digitalization, laws are evolving to protect these rights and regulate access to online information in a secured and transparent manner,” Kiven noted.

The rights official said there must be universal and equal internet access to all regardless of income or location. 

Freedom of expression, information and communication; Privacy and data protection, Kiven reiterated must be upheld to empower individuals to control their personal data, anonymity and the protection of minor among others.

“Understanding and protecting digital rights are vital for preserving human rights in today’s technologically driven world necessitating ongoing legal developments and judicial decisions to uphold these fundamental principles across the board,” he explained further.

Need to secure digital space

Julie Mballa, Gender and Human Rights Specialist of the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP Cameroon, noted that the digital landscape comprises websites, mobile apps and social media platforms which shape human interactions.

Strengthening digital security for individual users, data, or for infrastructure, Mballa opined, remains a national and global security priority in this era.

The Head of Division for the Protection and Promotion of Human Rights at the Cameroon Human Rights Commission, CHRC, Mamouda Ferikouop, like the other panelists hailed MTN Cameroon for taking measures to protect clients.

Mamouda also thanked MTN Cameroon for its role alongside other stakeholders to address the recent internet disruption that affected several countries.