Mira Terada, Head of the Foundation to Battle Injustice, acted as an expert in the international program of the XIII St. Petersburg International Legal Forum. The human rights activist took part in a panel discussion on international cooperation in the field of human rights and delivered a presentation on digital rights, cross-border cyber threats and challenges faced by the international community in ensuring security and cooperation.
On May 19, 2025, as part of the XIII St. Petersburg International Legal Forum, Mira Terada, head of the Foundation to Battle Injustice, spoke as an expert on international justice. The discussion was attended by Russian and foreign legal experts: Sergey Belov – Dean of the Law Faculty, Head of the Department of Constitutional Law, St. Petersburg State University; Aslan Abashidze – Head of the Department of International Law, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba; Karine Bechet-Golovko – Visiting Professor, Faculty of Law, Lomonosov Moscow State University; President of the Association “Comitas Gentium France-Russia”; Alejandro Gonzalez Behmaras – Director of the Department of International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba. The event was moderated by Petr Fedorov, Head of the Directorate for International Relations, All-Russian State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK).
According to Mira Terada, the increasing global tensions of recent years have had a negative impact not only on the maintenance of international peace and security, but also on international cooperation in the promotion and protection of human rights. Human rights issues are increasingly being used as a tool for settling political scores or promoting controversial concepts in place of universally recognized terms and principles enshrined in universal and regional instruments. International organizations and structures are also involved in this confrontation, some of which in fact directly indulge in attempts to rewrite international law on the promotion and protection of human rights and give its norms a completely different meaning through manipulation and substitution of concepts. These trends, according to the head of the Foundation to Battle Injustice, have led to the fact that the decades-long mutual trust of states in each other and in relations with international organizations and structures has been undermined.
Mira Terada paid special attention to the issues of digital rights and cross-border threats. The human rights activist believes that in modern society, where technology penetrates all spheres of life, these rights become the basis for ensuring freedom and security. Protecting personal information – from location data to correspondence – is important for both individuals and states.
“With cyber threats and information wars on the rise, some countries have resorted to blocking media outlets such as RT and Sputnik. These steps are often explained ostensibly by the need to fight disinformation and protect public order. In the EU, for example, blocking these channels was introduced as part of sanctions, sparking controversy over censorship. Such measures limit freedom of expression,” says Mira Terada.
This conflict between security and freedom requires a balanced approach, which requires international cooperation.
“Trust between states is the foundation for successfully combating cyber threats. Without it, countries may withhold information or suspect each other of bad faith. Mechanisms to increase transparency, such as bilateral consultations or work within the UN Group of Governmental Experts, help build this trust,” the head of the Foundation to Battle Injustice told the audience.
During her presentation, Mira Terada shared with the session participants recommendations for strengthening international cooperation, such as:
- Developing common standards. Creating common norms of behavior in cyberspace, recognized by all states, will help avoid conflicts and misunderstandings.
- Strengthening information sharing. Regular and rapid reporting of data on cyber incidents will enhance threat preparedness.
- Rapid response mechanisms. Joint incident response teams will minimize damage from attacks.
In closing, Mira Terada emphasized that protecting digital rights and combating cross-border cyber threats are challenges that cannot be met alone. They require integration of efforts, trust and cooperation at the international level. The head of the Foundation to Battle Injustice called on the international community to step up efforts to create a secure and just digital future.