Freedom of expression
The Internet is a network that empowers at the edges, rather that the centre, rendering it a profoundly democratic and rights-fostering platform. Human rights are principles that seek to empower those at the margins rather than at the centre of power, rendering them a fundamentally empowering framework for individuals. This paper explores human rights and Internet protocols by comparing the processes for their making and the principles by which they operate.
On December 10th, the UN celebrated International Human Rights Day, highlighting “the rights of all people — women, youth, minorities, persons with disabilities, indigenous people, the poor and marginalized — to make their voices heard in public life and be in
South Africa is one of several countries that possesses a “notice and take down regime” for online content, meaning that internet service providers are obliged to take down content that is deemed controversial by a complainant. Understanding this regime as unconstitutional since its inception in 2002, an attorney in Johannesburg has embarked on crusade to change it.
This submission has been prepared by Protege QV and the Association for Progressive Communications. Protège QV is a Cameroonian rights association whose mission it is to promote individual and collective initiative that target environmental protection and contributes to an increased quality of life for Cameroonian families. This submission focuses on freedom of expression, freedom of ass...
This campaign launched by APC member Bytes for All from Pakistan is a call for larger human rights movement in the country and citizens to fight the ongoing censorship as it will further take its toll on already compromised civil liberties in the country. All individuals are invited to join the movement and protest by sharing the campaign visuals over the internet.
In edition 4 of the MIND magazine, which questions human rights in internet governance, Joy Liddicoat of the Association for Progressive Communications makes the point that freedom of expression only takes its full force for democratic change when we can exercise it together with all of our other rights and freedoms. She argues that human rights must be a main focus of all discussions at the IGF.
A survey of women human rights defenders (WHRDs) conducted as part of APC’s Connect Your Rights! campaign revealed some interesting practices and perceptions in terms of their use of information and communications technologies in their work. Read an analysis.
What are the consequences of blocking access to hateful content? What role do individual internet users play in perpetuating discrimination online? Although online hate speech has been a growing concern for many years, recent cases have demonstrated the complexity of this issue, and its impact on cultural, political, social, and economic well-being.
In the first UPR of Pakistan in 2008, there was no mention of promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms on the internet or right to information. However, it categorically demanded removal of restrictions on freedom of religion or belief, women rights and minorities’ rights. It was also stressed upon the Government of Pakistan to “restore as soon as possible all funda...
On Monday, October 22nd, the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) began the 14th session of its Working Group, reviewing the human rights situation in 14 countries, and reporting on the implementation of recommendations and pledges made in the fir
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