Human rights and ICTs

Civil society stakeholders’ position on the modalities for the appointment of the UN Tech Envoy
Civil society stakeholders’ position on the modalities for the appointment of the UN Tech Envoy 27 January 2022 Various

In this letter, APC and a diverse range of organisations from around the world reiterate what they consider the key characteristics of the UN Tech Envoy profile based on their experience and mandates as civil society groups working to improve inclusive internet governance and digital cooperation.

Harmony Laws in Southeast Asia: Majority Dominance, Minority Repression
Harmony Laws in Southeast Asia: Majority Dominance, Minority Repression 26 January 2022 Asia Centre

Governments in Southeast Asia largely rely on laws to quell communal tensions and manage the diverse communities within their countries, but this has resulted in the dominance of ethno-religious majorities. This report examines the implications in Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines and Singapore.

Joint NGO letter: Civil society’s expectations for the Human Rights Council in 2022
Joint NGO letter: Civil society’s expectations for the Human Rights Council in 2022 25 January 2022 Various

In this open letter to the incoming president of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC), APC and other organisations take the opportunity to voice a series of recommendations to ensure effective civil society participation in the upcoming 16th cycle of the HRC.

Release of the Human Rights Impact Assessment of Facebook in India
Release of the Human Rights Impact Assessment of Facebook in India 21 January 2022 Various

In 2020, Facebook (now Meta) commissioned the law firm Foley Hoag to conduct a Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) to evaluate its role in spreading hate speech and incitement to violence on its services in India. A year and a half later, the HRIA has not yet been released.

APC: UN Tech envoy should support an open, global and interoperable internet
APC: UN Tech envoy should support an open, global and interoperable internet 21 January 2022 APC

APC welcomes the process for the selection of a new UN Envoy on Technology and stands ready to support the new mandate holder, given their central role in promoting improved coordination for internet governance and global digital cooperation.

Exposed: Civil society condemns use of Pegasus in El Salvador to spy on journalists and activists
Exposed: Civil society condemns use of Pegasus in El Salvador to spy on journalists and activists 19 January 2022 Various

The undersigned organisations condemn the use of NSO Group’s Pegasus technology in El Salvador for the surveillance of journalists and civil society, as initially flagged by local independent media and confirmed through a joint investigation by global and regional civil society organisations.

Hashtag Palestine 2021
Hashtag Palestine 2021 18 January 2022 7amleh - the Arab Center for the Advancement of Social Media

The seventh annual report “Hashtag Palestine” illuminates the digital rights violations of Palestinians and pro-Palestinian advocates online, at the hands of the three authorities as well as different social media companies in relation to the escalations and developments on the ground.

In Memoriam: Ian Peter (9/6/1948 – 26/12/2021)
In Memoriam: Ian Peter (9/6/1948 – 26/12/2021) 06 January 2022 Andrew Garton, Sue Taylor and Paul Wilson

A tribute to internet pioneer and historian Ian Peter, founder of Australia's first public internet provider and a founding director of APC. 

Over 100 public interest organisations and experts urge the UN to include human rights safeguards in proposed cybercrime convention
Over 100 public interest organisations and experts urge the UN to include human rights safeguards in proposed cybercrime convention 23 December 2021 Various

A joint letter urges members of the UN Ad Hoc Committee drafting a potential Cybercrime Treaty to ensure that human rights protections are included at every step and global civil society is provided opportunities to participate in the development process.

Examining the Effect of Shrinking Civic Space on Feminist Organizing Online, Particularly for Structurally Silenced Women in Uganda
Examining the Effect of Shrinking Civic Space on Feminist Organizing Online, Particularly for Structurally Silenced Women in Uganda 20 December 2021 Women of Uganda Network (WOUGNET)

This report highlights the findings of a research study that was carried out by the Women of Uganda Network together with the Association for Progressive Communications under the Our Voices, Our Futures (OVOF) project.

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