UN Raises Human Rights Concerns in Telegram Founder Pavel Durov’s Case

The United Nations has expressed serious concerns about the arrest and charges against Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, citing potential human rights issues. A U.N. spokeswoman called for adherence to international human rights standards, emphasizing the need for legality and proportionality in regulating social media platforms.

United Nations Raises Human Rights Concerns Over Arrest of Telegram Founder Pavel Durov

The United Nations voiced serious human rights concerns regarding the arrest and charging of Pavel Durov, the founder of the Telegram messaging app, at a briefing on Tuesday. Ravina Shamdasani, a spokeswoman for the U.N. Human Rights Office, highlighted the complexity of Durov’s situation, stating:

This is a very complex case. It raises a lot of human rights concerns.

Durov was detained at Le Bourget airport near Paris on Aug. 24 and faces multiple charges related to the Telegram app. French authorities have also restricted him from leaving the country. The circumstances surrounding Durov’s arrest have sparked considerable debate, with many supporters viewing him as a champion of free speech while others criticize him for allowing the platform to operate without sufficient oversight.

Shamdasani noted that the U.N. is closely monitoring the developments but acknowledged that it was challenging to provide more details without access “to the full information.” She emphasized the need to address key issues, stating:

The principles of legality, necessity and proportionality, hate speech, incitement to hatred or violence, harmful disinformation, need to be addressed.

The spokeswoman for the U.N. Human Rights Office also pointed to similar concerns in Brazil, where Elon Musk’s social media platform X was blocked, noting that while governments have a duty to regulate social media, any restrictions must be “proportional” and in line with international human rights standards.

What do you think about the U.N.’s concerns regarding the arrest of Pavel Durov? Let us know in the comments section below.

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