Asia

This two-part series sheds light on how art and creativity play a key role in activism in Pakistan and provide the country's feminist movement and struggles with a prominent visual aesthetics on the internet.

The COVID-19 pandemic provided the government with pretext to censor free speech, harass critics, and effectively curb dissent – accelerating what has been an ongoing turn towards authoritarianism in Bangladesh.

Shia Muslims are constantly at risk of being targeted with violence online and offline for their religious belief. And when Shia women and queer folks go online, they find themselves at risk of being targeted with abuse from multiple fronts as their two identities combine.

APC and the other signatories of this open letter urge the Department of Telecommunications to withdraw the Draft Indian Telecommunication Bill and to prepare a new rights-respecting version, in consultation with stakeholders.

APC and the other signatories of this open letter stress that India – as the world’s largest democracy, and second largest base of internet users – has an opportunity to draft an exemplary legislation that ensures the protection of human rights in the digital age.

In Indonesia, a rise in hard-line approaches to governance is heralding looming authoritarianism. The COVID-19 pandemic has provided the government there with the opportunity to further accelerate digital authoritarianism through online surveillance, censorship and online manipulation.

Inspired by a participant question raised at the recent Asia Pacific Regional Internet Governance Forum (APrIGF), this digital justice researcher attempts an answer with five suggestions and poses an amended question for us all. 

APC is looking for a Project Administrator for “Our Voices Our Futures” to join our virtual office and team and support our exciting work. The deadline for applications is 4 November 2022.