Research and Development in Public Law

Research and Development in Public Law

The Right to Technology in International Law: From Identification to Realization

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
1 Associate Professor, Department of Human Rights, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
2 Master of Public International Law, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The right to technology has often been overlooked in both theoretical discussions and practical implementation, as it is considered a subtle and less prominent right compared to other human rights. However, the growing influence of technology on various aspects of daily life has increasingly drawn attention to this right among scholars and human rights advocates. This study explores the conceptualization, scope, legal foundations, and challenges of the right to technology within the international human rights framework. By analysing key human rights instruments, particularly the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, the study argues that the right to technology is implicitly embedded in existing human rights provisions, particularly the right to benefit from scientific progress. The absence of a clear definition, the lack of corporate accountability within the current human rights system, and the predominant global focus on intellectual property protection emerge as major obstacles to the realization of this right. Addressing these challenges requires a more comprehensive legal framework and greater international cooperation to ensure equitable access to technological advancements for all.
Keywords