Human Rights Watch warns that Armenia’s new surveillance bill, requiring extensive video surveillance systems with police access across Yerevan, poses serious threats to resident privacy and civil rights. The bill allows continuous monitoring by private entities and aims to utilize AI analytics without clear guidelines, sparking significant concern among legal experts and human rights advocates. Calls for reassessment and intervention from international bodies underscore the urgent need for protection against indiscriminate surveillance.
The Armenian government’s proposed bill to require private surveillance cameras across Yerevan, accessible by police, poses significant threats to individual privacy and rights, according to Human Rights Watch. This legislation, which mandates continuous surveillance and live feeds to law enforcement, suggests a misuse of state power under the guise of enhancing public safety, thus fostering an environment of mass surveillance and distrust. The bill requires various private entities—ranging from banks to retail businesses—to install CCTV systems and grant police 24-hour access to monitoring footage. Critics argue this encroachment on civil liberties is unwarranted and lacks necessary legal safeguards. Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence for surveillance only amplifies the risks associated with such measures, intruding not just on privacy but also potentially on personal freedoms. Background checks reveal the government introduced the bill for public consideration in December 2022, with approval following in April 2024. As parliament prepares to vote, significant concerns have been raised by various government bodies, including the Data Protection Agency, about the bill’s lack of proportionality and necessity. Human Rights Watch emphasizes that automatic surveillance systems, without targeted parameters, result in indiscriminate breaches of personal rights. “Widespread, indiscriminate video surveillance would inevitably lead to unjustified intrusions on privacy and cannot be defended as a measure necessary to improve public security in a democracy,” Giorgi Gogia from Human Rights Watch stated. The conversation must include clear justification and oversight proposals to address the vast implications of this surveillance approach. While Armenia is bound by international agreements protecting privacy rights, this legislative initiative raises alarm bells regarding its alignment with such commitments. The United Nations has consistently asserted that privacy infringement must serve a legitimate purpose, defined within the context of law and proportionality. The suggested undertaking falls short of these benchmarks, prompting calls for careful reassessment and possible delay in progression. In response to growing criticism, Human Rights Watch believes the government should halt the bill’s passage, urging an evaluation by the Venice Commission to ensure compliance with human rights standards. The implications of advanced digital surveillance technologies underscore the need for transparency, accountability, and concerted efforts to protect individuals from unchecked state monitoring.
The Armenian government’s push to install a comprehensive video surveillance system across Yerevan reflects a growing trend of state surveillance under the pretext of enhancing public safety. This initiative raises alarms regarding the infringement of civil liberties, especially the right to privacy, as it would require private entities to hand over ongoing video feeds to the police. Moreover, incorporating artificial intelligence into video surveillance only enhances the potential for misuse and further loss of individual freedoms within public spaces.
The proposal for extensive surveillance across Yerevan threatens to undermine fundamental human rights, particularly privacy. Legal experts and human rights organizations urge the Armenian government to rethink its stance, engage international oversight bodies, and align with established norms protecting civil rights. The ensuing discussions surrounding this legislation will be pivotal for the future of privacy and state power in Armenia.
Original Source: asbarez.com
