Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 25-26th February 2020 – In an effort to contribute to the current global discussion regarding the “Right to Science”, specifically the general comment on science drafted by the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Foundation for International Human Rights Reporting Standards (FIHRRST) was a spokesperson at the 6th Meeting of the World Congress for Freedom of Scientific Research, hosted by the Commission of the African Union and organized by the Luca Coscioni Association and Science for Democracy. Participants of the Addis Congress had an opportunity to “explain the ramifications of the ‘right of’ and the ‘right to’ science on variety of topics”, maintaining that scientific evidence be taken into consideration when developing policy while “stressing the need to educate the general public on the ways in which science works through the verification, duplication and falsification of research”. [Science for Democracy]

During the two-day meeting, participants representing government, regional and international organizations and offices, academics and research institutions, media, civil society and non-governmental organizations discussed the therapeutic use of stem cells, the importance of genetic medicine, sexual and reproductive health and rights, new breeding techniques, the introduction of safer products on the market, open access to science and the promotion of civilian use of artificial intelligence. [Science for Democracy]

Tequila Bester, a Programme Coordinator at FIHRRST, gave a presentation about the importance of introducing safer products to the market. Her presentation was based on a paper she co-authored with Aldila Irsyad addressing the same topic. She specifically addressed how alternative products sodium, sugar and tobacco, for example, as tools of harm reduction, were scientific innovations that could potentially reduce the prevalence of non-communicable diseases in lower-middle-income countries. For such scientific innovations to be effective in tackling the problem, governments must understand and recognize its citizens’ rights to information and science. Legislators and policymakers within various departments and offices must engage in the scientific process (i.e., research) to determine the benefits and costs of all products available for public consumption, including alternative products. While lower-middle-income countries generally do not have the budgets to engage in sophisticated and overly expensive research projects, this should not be an excuse for them to do nothing. They have a responsibility to do the maximum they can afford. This may mean creating platforms whereby researchers can share their work or offering incentives for researchers to engage in the scientific process. The results or outcomes of this research, especially as it relates to alternative products, should be made available to the public in a manner that it easily understood by them. Individuals have the right to self-determination.

While responsibility for ensuring participation in the scientific process is often thought to be the job of governments, Tequila also stressed the importance of bringing business entities to the table. As manufacturers of consumer goods, especially alternative products, companies have an obligation to address societal problems. Simply seeking to “do no harm” is not enough. Businesses must be proactive. Where applicable, they should invest in scientific research and innovation that could potentially solve society’s biggest ills. They should inform the public of their progress and make products available to them. This responsibility to respect human rights is independent of government’s own responsibility to protect human rights.

Although the debate for the right to science continues, the 6th Meeting of the World Congress for Freedom of Scientific Research ended with a call to action. The Congress asked the UN to “develop guidelines on the basis of the General Comment to assist Member States in sharing their efforts towards the implementation of the many aspects of the ‘right to science’”. [Science for Democracy] Altogether, the Congress put forth five main requests for consideration by the UN. Hopefully the work done by the Congress will soon bear fruit. The peoples of the world, especially those from lower-middle-income countries, are in much need.

For more information about the event, please visit Science for Democracy’s website.