Human rights and ICTs

In this submission to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, APC explores the human rights implications of the gender digital divide for women and girls and offers possible solutions to bridging the divide from a human rights perspective, highlighting APC’s work in this area.

In the oral statement delivered by APC’s Deborah Brown, APC manifested its concerns over reports that the United States government is demanding visitors provide access to their electronic devices as well as passcodes to those devices and online accounts at points of entry.

The Association for Progressive Communications welcomes the opportunity to participate in this interactive dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy.

At the HRC 34th session, internet rights remain at the forefront of the agenda, with the Council scheduled to discuss the Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy's report on oversight of government surveillance programmes and to debate a new resolution on the right to privacy in the digital age.

Social Media Exchange (SMEX) is a registered Lebanese NGO that works to advance self-regulating information societies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). APCNews interviewed Jessica Dheere and Mohamad Najem, the co-directors of SMEX, which just joined the APC network.

This study focuses on nine countries in Asia – Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Vietnam – which have recorded a significant number of violations of freedom of expression on account of religion or religious sensitivities.

The 46 country reports gathered here illustrate the link between the internet and economic, social and cultural rights (ESCRs). They are framed by 10 thematic reports, which deal with overarching concerns when it comes to ESCRs and the internet, and more specific issues that impact on our rights.

WOUGNET in partnership with the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) conducted a desk review to ascertain the gender responsiveness of ICT policies and laws and create advocacy and awareness surrounding the need for more participation of women in ICT discussions, policies and decision making processes.