Freedom of expression

Southern Africa Digital Rights Issue Number 2: Privacy at risk – challenges to data and online security
Southern Africa Digital Rights Issue Number 2: Privacy at risk – challenges to data and online security 16 February 2024 Various

What this edition of Southern Africa Digital Rights serves to spotlight is that privacy and data protections remain and will continue to remain areas that civil society in the region must continue to monitor and address.

Coalition of international organisations demands that Meta refrain from censoring criticism of Zionism on its platforms
Coalition of international organisations demands that Meta refrain from censoring criticism of Zionism on its platforms 12 February 2024 Various

This open letter expresses deep concern over Meta's proposed revision of its hate speech policy regarding the term "Zionist" and the potential to treat it as a proxy for Jewish and/or Israeli, which will ultimately lead to severe restrictions on legitimate political speech and debate.

Open letter to the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime
Open letter to the Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee on Cybercrime 09 February 2024 Various

Organisations spanning civil society, industry and the technical community, including APC, urge governments to consider withholding support for the draft UN cybercrime treaty in its current incarnation. If adopted without major changes, this treaty's risks far outweigh its potential benefits.

A call for global solidarity and decisive action to end Myanmar’s military rule and ensure victory for the people resisting dictatorship
A call for global solidarity and decisive action to end Myanmar’s military rule and ensure victory for the people resisting dictatorship 01 February 2024 Various

Three years after Myanmar’s military junta seized power, local and international civil society actors including APC are calling on the international community to stand with the country's people, offering not only solidarity, but also concrete resources to resist digital oppression.

Joint statement on the proposed cybercrime treaty ahead of the concluding session
Joint statement on the proposed cybercrime treaty ahead of the concluding session 23 January 2024 Various

The statement's signatories, including APC, stress that the proposed UN Cybercrime Convention must be narrowly focused on tackling cybercrime, and not used as a tool to undermine human rights. Unless meaningful changes are made to address current shortcomings, the Convention should be rejected.

Privacy Scorecard Report 2023: Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda
Privacy Scorecard Report 2023: Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda 23 January 2024 Unwanted Witness

This is the third annual Privacy Scorecard Report produced by Unwanted Witness. The 2023 report took stock of compliance with data protection and privacy laws and regulations in four countries: Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Kenya and Uganda.

Open letter to Sri Lankan government: Withdraw Online Safety Bill to protect people’s rights and future
Open letter to Sri Lankan government: Withdraw Online Safety Bill to protect people’s rights and future 22 January 2024 Various

In light of the grave implications for the freedoms of people in Sri Lanka, APC and over 50 other organisations are calling on the government to withdraw the Online Safety Bill and engage in meaningful, sustained and inclusive consultations, including civil society and human rights experts.

Recommendations for Chile on human rights in digital environments
Recommendations for Chile on human rights in digital environments 18 January 2024 Derechos Digitales and Association for Progressive Communications (APC)

The recommendations presented here are based on the submissions made by Derechos Digitales, APC, Women’s Link Worldwide and Corporación Miles Chile for the fourth cycle of the UN Human Rights Council's Universal Period Review (UPR) of Chile.

From buttocks to electronic bracelets: How governments are using cybercrime laws to target women and LGBTQIA+ people
From buttocks to electronic bracelets: How governments are using cybercrime laws to target women and LGBTQIA+ people 08 January 2024 Gaurav Jain

Governments everywhere are using cybercrime laws to criminalise women and LGBTQIA+ people, increase surveillance and reduce freedom of expression. A new Derechos Digitales and APC report discusses 11 such cases in nine countries and calls for rethinking the nature of these laws.

"This attack has brought all human rights frameworks into question”: Experts speak about genocide and the internet in Gaza
"This attack has brought all human rights frameworks into question”: Experts speak about genocide and the internet in Gaza 19 December 2023 APCNews

7amleh, SMEX and APC organised a webinar to commemorate Human Rights Day and discuss the ongoing violations affecting civil society, the internet and communications in Gaza. Several civil society experts weighed in on pressing issues of concern in the current crisis. 

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