Africa

Sudan blocks civil society participation in UN-led human rights review
Sudan blocks civil society participation in UN-led human rights review 04 April 2016 Various

The efforts of the Sudanese government to obstruct the engagement of civil society activists in a UN-led human rights review of the country is unacceptable and shows blatant contempt not just for human rights defenders in Sudan, but to human rights standards and the UN Human Rights Council.  

Workshop on freedom of expression and the Internet in Africa @ NGO Forum ACHPR
Workshop on freedom of expression and the Internet in Africa @ NGO Forum ACHPR 30 March 2016

In the fast paced digital world that we live in, a lot that has do with our lives is on the Internet. Whether one uses the Internet for business or pleasure, it still forms a great deal of a person’s personal life. For those of you who disagree, how would you feel if somebody went through your emails, checked into you bank balance without your consent, or even being denied access to parts of the Internet based on your gender? This is why the Association for Progressive Communications (APC)...

Women's Rights and the Internet in Uganda: Stakeholder Report, Universal Periodic Review 26th Session – Uganda
Women's Rights and the Internet in Uganda: Stakeholder Report, Universal Periodic Review 26th Session – Uganda 28 March 2016 WOUGNET, CIPESA and APC

This submission is a joint stakeholder contribution to the second cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism for Uganda. It focuses on women’s rights and the internet in Uganda, and explores the extent of implementation of the recommendations made in the previous cycle of the UPR.

CIPESA: "The African Declaration is key to reach a common understanding of online rights policy"
CIPESA: "The African Declaration is key to reach a common understanding of online rights policy" 15 March 2016 APC

“A fundamental challenge in the digital age is how to protect human rights and freedoms on the Internet, and the African continent is no exception.” To know more about the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms, APC has talked to CIPESA, an organisation that works in promoting effective and inclusive ICTs in Africa.

Submission in advance of the consideration of the periodic report of South Africa, Human Rights Committee
Submission in advance of the consideration of the periodic report of South Africa, Human Rights Committee 07 March 2016 Privacy International, Right2Know, and the Association for Progressive Communications

Privacy International, Right2Know, and the Association for Progressive Communications have on-going concerns on the practices of surveillance by South African intelligence and law enforcement agencies. In this submission, the organisations provide the Committee with additional, up to date information to that contained in the briefing submitted to the Committee in April 2015.

Suggestions for right to privacy-related questions to be included in the list of issues on South Africa, Human Rights Committee
Suggestions for right to privacy-related questions to be included in the list of issues on South Africa, Human Rights Committee 06 March 2016 Privacy International, Right2Know and the Association for Progressive Communications

Privacy International, Right2Know and APC have ongoing concerns on the practices of surveillance by South African intelligence and law enforcement agencies. National legislation governing surveillance is inadequate, leaving significant regulatory gaps and providing weak safeguards.

Submission in advance of the consideration of the periodic report of South Africa, Human Rights Committee
Submission in advance of the consideration of the periodic report of South Africa, Human Rights Committee 06 March 2016 Privacy International, Right2Know, and the Association for Progressive Communications

In this submission, APC, Privacy International and Right2Know provide the UN Human Rights Committee with additional, up-to-date information to that contained in the briefing submitted to the Committee in advance of the adoption of the list of issues in April 2015.  

Joint letter on internet shutdown in Uganda
Joint letter on internet shutdown in Uganda 24 February 2016 Various

On the morning of national elections, 18 February, Ugandan internet users were blocked from using Twitter, Facebook, and other communications platforms. APC member CIPESA, Access Now, and other civil society groups called for renewed respect for human rights in the wake of this violation.

Rights groups respond to internet shutdown in Uganda during national elections
Rights groups respond to internet shutdown in Uganda during national elections 24 February 2016 Access Now, et al.

On the morning of national elections, 18 February, Ugandan internet users were blocked from using Twitter, Facebook, and other communications platforms until three days later. Kampala-based APC member CIPESA along with Access Now and other civil society groups around the world called for renewed respect for human rights in the wake of this violation.

Exploring technology-related violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya
Exploring technology-related violence against women in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya 21 January 2016

The DRC and Kenya are in focus in a series of country editions sharing the findings of the “End violence: Women’s rights and safety online“ research.    

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