IRHR - News
Pro-democracy protesters in Malaysia warn of internet clampdown
As the Bersih 2.0 protesters campaign for free and open elections, signs of a stuttering internet from various providers are becoming apparent, and are pointing to a possible internet and telco blackout warns the group . APC supports the Bersih protesters in their fight for democracy.
APC questions new Pakistan petition to filter the internet
A recent petition which calls on Pakistani internet service providers to filter the internet has sparked concern among internet rights advocates. APC criticises the proposal as inappropriate in a democratic society which values freedom of expression and the right to information.
APC expresses concern over OECD Communique on principles for internet policy-making
“Anyone involved in the development of the internet over the last twenty years knows that transgression has probably been a far greater driver of innovation than IP protection,” says APC in a statement which points to “positive signs” coming out of the recent OECD meeting but questions the take on intellectual property as well as internet intermediaries’ responsibility for policing the net.
Civil society declines to support OECD communique on principles of internet policies
The Civil Society Information Society Advisory Council to the OECD, of which APC is part, has declined to support the official communique on principles for internet policy-making, saying that it could undermine “online freedom of expression, freedom of information, the right to privacy, access to knowledge, and innovation across the world.”
APC sparks debate at UN over internet rights
In the wake of APC’s side event on freedom of expression at the Human Rights Council’s 17th session, the UN has, for the first time, taken a major step towards defining the relationship between the internet and human rights.
"Gay Girl in Damascus" needs to Man Up, says APC
Tom MacMaster’s masquerading as blogger activist “Gay Girl in Damascus” was harmful, say APC in a statement, and endangers the right to use the internet anonymously.
Connect your rights! Internet rights are human rights
With our coverage of APC’s event on human rights and the internet at the Human Rights Council in Geneva earlier this month, we’ve launched a new web space. Find all our content related to these issues in one place.
Equal access to the internet can counter discrimination against women, says UN report
Efforts to mitigate violence against women online can backfire explains a report presented at the UN Human Rights Council. APC covered women’s issues and the internet at the HRC in a special edition of the policy and gender bulletin GenderIT.org.
Egypt: Court fines Mubarak and Vodafone for communications blackouts
APC welcomes the recent ruling of an Egyptian court that fined former president Mubarak and two of his aides $90 million for cutting internet and cell phones communications during the Egyptian revolution earlier this year.
APC welcomes ruling of Egyptian court
APC welcomes the recent ruling of an Egyptian court that fined former president Mubarak and two of his aides $90 million for cutting internet and cell phones during the Egyptian revolution.
APC member JCA-NET speaks out against Japanese digital surveillance bill
The proposed bill criminalises a number of online activities, granting Japanese authorities extremely broad powers to monitor and investigate their citizens. It also requires network providers to record and hold communications data on all users so it can be used by law enforcement agencies.
APC breaks down the issues behind the Pakistan social media ban for Radio France International
On May 13 2011, the Lahore High Court in Pakistan ruled that Facebook and other websites were in violation of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws and should be banned in the country. Curious to understand more about this ruling, Clea Caulcutt of Radio France International’s Web Watch programme speaks to Grady Johnson of APC’s Internet Rights are Human Rights campaign to get a better understanding of what is at stake. Listen to the interview
Internet Rights are Human Rights, says APC at Human Rights Council
APC calls on the Human Rights Council to treat freedom of expression online as a human rights issue.
Human Rights Council: Take action!
On Friday 3 June 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, Frank La Rue, will present his annual report to the Human Rights Council. This year the report will focus on the internet. Learn how you can support your country’s involvement in the defense of hunan rights on the internet.
APC event at the UN Human Rights Council: Watch the video
As part of APC’s Connect your rights! Internet Rights are Human Rights campaign, APC is co-hosted a side-event at the Human Rights Council’s seventeenth session in Geneva on 3 June.
BREAKING NEWS: Social networking sites face ban in Pakistan
A new ruling by the Lahore High Court may result in a total ban of social media in Pakistan reports APC. Critics condemn the ban as unnecessary, unjust and ultimately counterproductive.
APC network strategises to ensure open, fair and sustainable internet
Dramatic events recently such as the internet shutdowns in Arab states and the WikiLeaks clampdown are pressing reminders that an open and fair internet cannot be taken for granted. In March APC brought together 100 researchers, innovators and activists to strategise.
Human rights belong to people, not to networked computers
Former New Zealand human rights commissioner Joy Liddicoat has just joined APC to lead a new Internet Rights are Human Rights campaign. Although she is busy getting ready for Internet Governance Forum consultations on May 18-19, she took a few moments to talk to APCNews.
WikiLeaks exposés are a “wake-up call for powerful regimes”, says APC director
The WikiLeaks Cablegate affair is making it clear to governments that they cannot so easily control what is secret and what is not, said Anriette Esterhuysen, APC executive director. “We citizens need both carrot and stick approaches in demanding and enforcing accountability and transparency from our governments. WikiLeaks is a useful stick,” said Esterhuysen.
Internet rights are human rights
Restricting free expression, association and the free flow of information on the internet has become a global trend and its intensity and impact is greatest in countries lacking a culture of democracy or strong human rights regimes. People who speak out against repression risk their own freedom and safety and the sites that carry their online denouncements are often censored or banned. A new APC project “Internet rights are human rights” starting in November 2010 builds on our long-standing work including our Internet Rights Charter aims to secure freedom of expression and association on the internet to those who need it most: human rights defenders.
