Understanding Constitutional Principles for the Advancement of Digital Rights in Palestine

Abstract Information and Communication Technologies raise new legal issues, risks and implications regarding the rights and legal protection of individuals in cyberspace. Constitutions generally protect basic rights and freedoms. Departing from the importance of constitutional protection concerning basic rights and freedoms, this article aims at assessing the constitutional and legal status of digital rights in Palestine, while considering the political and legal challenges. It studies the concept of digital rights and their protection in the Palestinian Basic Law, as constitutional norms. The article finally analyses the available constitutional remedies to address implications of the new and emerging needs to protect human rights in the cyberspace. The article argues that the existing constitutional principles should be understood broadly from a human-rights-centred approach to address risks and implications of technologies on human rights.