This year, Pakistan Day, held on 23 March 2012, was marred with oppression against the people of Baluchistan in the South of the country through province-wide communications blockages. All cellular phone networks were shut down throughout the day of celebration in the name of national security. Bytes for All strongly condemns the ban.

The intersection between the internet and human rights is increasingly important as the internet starts to affect more aspects of society, economy, politics and culture. This report maps this intersection and raises a number of questions to be considered by those concerned with internet, rights and wider public policy.

APC welcomes the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on the rights to peaceful assembly and association and makes recommendations for how these rights can be promoted and protected online.

APC welcomes the success of the Human Rights Council expert panel on freedom of expression that took place in Geneva on 29 February as an important step towards promoting and protecting human rights online. Anriette Esterhuysen, APC’s executive director and panellist said, “It was extremely encouraging that states agree that the same rights that apply in the offline world also apply online.”

With the success of the recent expert panel on freedom of expression and the internet, now is the time to push for governments and international human rights organisations to commit to take concrete actions to promote and protect freedom of expression online.

On Wednesday February 29th 12:00-15:00 CET (11:00-14:00 UTC), the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) will convene an expert panel in Geneva to discuss the issue of freedom of expression on the internet. This will be the first time human rights on the internet has been specifically addressed by the HRC.

The government of Pakistan currently has plans to filter the internet, which will affect freedom of expression, speech and opinion in the country. Bytes for All fears the internet will be further restricted as the 2013 general elections approach. Read the public statement by Bytes for All.

On 29 February 2012, the Human Rights Council will convene an expert panel in Geneva to discuss the issue of freedom of expression on the internet. Drawing on the report of the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression, the panel will focus on ways to promote freedom of expression online in accordance with international human rights law.