Internet rights are human rights

State-mandated internet shutdowns are becoming more frequent as governments use these to quell dissent and silence critics. Can citizens push back against these shutdowns? Do countries in the global South have a legal framework to address and counter internet shutdowns?

This report outlines jurisprudence across the global South on the legality of internet shutdowns. It tackles the growing challenge of government-mandated disruptions of internet access around the world, often under the guise of safeguarding public order and upholding national security interests.

Companies should use international human rights law as the authoritative global standard for ensuring freedom of expression and other rights on their platforms, not the varying laws of states or their own private interests. In this document, APC explains why, where and how we work on this issue.

The coalition of civil society groups undersigned are committed to supporting the implementation of the vision in which “all stakeholders play a role in advancing a safer, more equitable digital world, one which will lead to a brighter and more prosperous future for all.”

APC with members of the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition called on authors from the region to develop a series of reports on the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa and human rights. Read the summaries of the 19 papers here.

A geographically representative group of 527 civil society organisations has called for the resumption of the state monitoring procedure of the international human rights treaty bodies, which have been postponed since March due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Global cyber governance, including the protection of a secure and stable cyberspace, cannot be limited to any one actor. Therefore, an inclusive approach to maintaining peace and stability in cyberspace is needed, as emphasised by the organisations who jointly submitted this feedback to the OEWG.

The Foundation for Media Alternatives, in collaboration with the Association for Progressive Communications and the Cyrilla Collaborative, is proud to share, “Unshackling Expression: The Philippines Report.”