Statements and submissions

 Egypt: Stop the crackdown on civil society
Egypt: Stop the crackdown on civil society 02 October 2019 APC

At the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) we are alarmed at the crackdown on Egyptian civil society, which has intensified over the past weeks amidst demonstrations calling for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to resign. Among those arrested is blogger, software developer and activist Alaa Abdel Fattah, a friend of APC and key figure in the 2011 uprising.

Civil society organisations present joint end-of-session statement at 42nd Human Rights Council
Civil society organisations present joint end-of-session statement at 42nd Human Rights Council 30 September 2019 Various

Civil society organisations presented a joint statement at the 42nd Human Rights Council, noting significant outcomes and sharing recommendations for further consideration.

APC statement to the Christchurch Call Leaders’ Dialogue
APC statement to the Christchurch Call Leaders’ Dialogue 24 September 2019 APC

On 23 September 2019, APC participated in the Christchurch Call Leaders’ Dialogue at the UN General Assembly in New York as a member of the Christchurch Call Advisory Network.

Proposed criteria for selection and appointment of a new mandate holder on the situation of human rights defenders
Proposed criteria for selection and appointment of a new mandate holder on the situation of human rights defenders 10 September 2019 Various

APC has joined the International Service for Human Rights (ISHR) and 130 organisations from around the world to set out the criteria that should be at the heart of the selection of the next UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders.

APC statement to the First Substantive Session of the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security
APC statement to the First Substantive Session of the Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security 10 September 2019 Various

APC welcomes this opportunity to address the OEWG and participate in this informal dialogue with stakeholders. APC and its members are increasingly concerned about state security-centric approaches to cybersecurity policy and the exclusion of civil society from cybersecurity efforts.

Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Hong Kong
Joint letter on keeping the internet open and secure in Hong Kong 05 September 2019 Various

A coalition of organisations, including APC, call on the Hong Kong authorities to refrain from the invocation of laws that would authorise the restriction or disruption of the internet and other means of communication and to ensure that the internet, including social media, remains open and secure.

APC comments on the First Draft Outline of the Report by the ITU Secretary-General for the Sixth World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2021
APC comments on the First Draft Outline of the Report by the ITU Secretary-General for the Sixth World Telecommunication/ICT Policy Forum 2021 27 August 2019 APC

APC welcomes the opportunity to comment on the First Draft Outline of the Report by the ITU Secretary-General for WTPF-21. In particular, we welcome WTPF-21’s emphasis on the potential contribution of information and communication technologies to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

APC statement against communications shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir
APC statement against communications shutdown in Jammu and Kashmir 14 August 2019 APC

APC condemns the prolonged and intentional disruption of communications services in Jammu and Kashmir by the government of India. Communications blackouts often precede other violations of human rights, and given the history of widespread abuse of rights in Kashmir, this is particularly worrying.

Submission to South African Law Reform Commission Discussion Paper 149 on Sexual Offences: Pornography and Children
Submission to South African Law Reform Commission Discussion Paper 149 on Sexual Offences: Pornography and Children 30 July 2019 APC and Research ICT Africa

Research ICT Africa and APC make this joint submission in the public interest to ensure that the internet, and access to it, can be a force for good in South Africa rather than becoming a tool which benefits some and leaves marginalised or vulnerable communities (including children) further behind. 

End of session statement presented at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council
End of session statement presented at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council 12 July 2019 Various

Organisations representing civil society around the world present their end of session statement at the 41st session of the Human Rights Council.

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