The National Human Rights Commission of Lebanon, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture (NHRC-CPT), has issued a comprehensive Position Statement on Human Rights, Digital Technologies, and the Lebanese Parliamentary Elections of May 2026, highlighting the growing human rights implications of digital technologies throughout the electoral cycle and calling for safeguards to protect democratic participation and electoral integrity.

This position statement was prepared by Bassam Al Kantar, Commissioner for International Relations, Media, and Information Technology at the National Human Rights Commission of Lebanon, including the Committee for the Prevention of Torture.

The statement comes as Lebanon prepares for parliamentary elections in May 2026 amid a complex environment marked by prolonged political and economic crises, declining public trust in institutions, and increasing reliance on digital platforms in political communication and campaigning.

NHRC-CPT emphasized that while digital technologies can enhance democratic participation, improve access to information, and facilitate voter engagement, they also present serious risks to human rights. These include threats to freedom of expression, the right to privacy, equality and non-discrimination, and the integrity of the electoral process, particularly in contexts where political polarization and misinformation are prevalent.

The Commission underscored that the Lebanese state bears the primary responsibility for ensuring the protection of human rights throughout the electoral process. This includes safeguarding freedom of expression, guaranteeing equal political participation, protecting personal data, and ensuring that all citizens can vote and run for office free from intimidation, discrimination, or undue interference.

NHRC-CPT also stressed that digital platforms and technology companies have a responsibility to respect human rights in the electoral context, in line with the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. Companies involved in the digital ecosystem, including social media platforms, telecommunications providers, search engines, and developers of artificial intelligence technologies, must conduct robust human rights due diligence to prevent and mitigate harms linked to their technologies.

The position statement highlights several key areas of concern related to digital technologies and elections, including the spread of misinformation and disinformation, particularly AI-generated content such as deepfakes and manipulated media that can distort public debate and undermine voters’ ability to make informed decisions.

It also draws attention to the rise of technology-facilitated hate speech and gender-based violence online, which disproportionately affects women, candidates, journalists, and members of marginalized communities. Such abuses can silence voices, discourage participation in public life, and weaken the inclusiveness of democratic processes.

The Commission further warns of the human rights risks associated with the use of artificial intelligence in political communication, voter targeting, content moderation, surveillance, and electoral administration. Without proper oversight, such technologies could manipulate public opinion, reinforce discrimination, undermine privacy, and erode public trust in electoral institutions.

Ensuring open, secure, and non-discriminatory access to the internet during elections is also identified as a key human rights requirement. The Commission cautions that internet disruptions, throttling, or unjustified restrictions during electoral periods could undermine democratic participation and impede the free flow of information.

The statement also raises concerns regarding opaque or discriminatory content moderation practices on major social media platforms, particularly in relation to political expression and content related to the Israeli attacks on Lebanon and Palestine. Reports indicating reduced visibility, content removals, or restrictions on certain political expressions highlight the need for greater transparency and accountability from digital platforms, especially given their central role in political communication and campaigning.

To address these challenges, NHRC-CPT calls for a human rights-based approach to digital technologies in elections, grounded in the principles of rule of law, transparency, accountability, inclusivity, privacy protection, freedom of expression, and cybersecurity. It also stresses the importance of public awareness, digital literacy, and the availability of non-digital alternatives to ensure inclusive participation for individuals with limited access to technology.

The Commission further highlights the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in governing electoral technologies, involving electoral authorities, oversight bodies, national human rights institutions, civil society organizations, media actors, academia, and technology companies.

In line with the Paris Principles, NHRC-CPT reaffirmed its commitment to monitoring and promoting human rights throughout the electoral process and ensuring that digital transformation strengthens democratic participation rather than undermines it.

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