freedom of expression

Desecrating Expression: An account of freedom of expression and religion in Asia
Desecrating Expression: An account of freedom of expression and religion in Asia 15 December 2016 Gayatri Khandhadai

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.

Organisations condemn the abuse of power by the police in raiding the office of EMPOWER
Organisations condemn the abuse of power by the police in raiding the office of EMPOWER 01 December 2016 APC, Bytes for All, Pakistan and Digital Empowerment Foundation

APC along with Bytes for All, Pakistan and Digital Empowerment Foundation, India strongly condemn the harassment of human rights defenders in Malaysia through the raiding of the office of Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) and the confiscation of important documents.  

Organisations condemn the abuse of power by the police in raiding the office of EMPOWER
Organisations condemn the abuse of power by the police in raiding the office of EMPOWER 01 December 2016 APC

APC, Bytes for All, Pakistan and Digital Empowerment Foundation, India have issued a statement that strongly condemns the harassment of human rights defenders in Malaysia by raiding the office of Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) and confiscating important documents.

#KeepitOn: Joint letter on the internet and the election in Gambia
#KeepitOn: Joint letter on the internet and the election in Gambia 30 November 2016 Various

A joint letter from APC and other organisations to Gambian President Yahya Jammeh, calling for the stability and openness of the internet to be ensured during the forthcoming elections in Gambia on 1 December.    

Crackdown on Bersih 2.0: APC condemns relentless attacks on freedom of assembly in Malaysia
Crackdown on Bersih 2.0: APC condemns relentless attacks on freedom of assembly in Malaysia 18 November 2016 APC

On 18 November, Maria Chin Abdullah, chairperson of Bersih 2.0 (the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections), and Mandeep Singh, manager of Bersih’s secretariat, were arrested, and the offices of Bersih 2.0 were raided, on the eve of a major rally in the Malaysian capital.

APC welcomes landmark HRC resolution condemning threats to women journalists and restrictions on encryption
APC welcomes landmark HRC resolution condemning threats to women journalists and restrictions on encryption 29 September 2016 APC

APC welcomes the adoption of the safety of journalists resolution, in particular its condemnation of the specific attacks on women journalists in their work, and commends the HRC for becoming the first UN body to call on states to not interfere with the use of encryption and anonymity tools.

The question of the day: How to protect human rights online while countering violent extremism?
The question of the day: How to protect human rights online while countering violent extremism? 26 September 2016 Deborah Brown and Rafik Dammak

Among the more than a dozen reports from the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights that were discussed last week at the Human Rights Council (HRC), one addressed a topic very relevant to internet policy and regulation: how to protect and promote human rights while preventing and countering violent extremism. Aside from being one of the most significant challenges to the enjoyment of human right...

Suggestions for internet-related human rights questions to be included in the list of issues on Pakistan, Human Rights Committee 120th session, June-July 2017
Suggestions for internet-related human rights questions to be included in the list of issues on Pakistan, Human Rights Committee 120th session, June-July 2017 30 August 2016 Association for Progressive Communications, Bytes for All Pakistan, and Media Matters for Democracy

This joint submission encourages the Committee to seek information from the government of Pakistan concerning the exercise of human rights online.

In spite of continued objections over serious human rights implications, Pakistan’s new cyber crime bill passes through: Joint statement by Media Matters for Democracy, Bytes for All, Pakistan and APC
In spite of continued objections over serious human rights implications, Pakistan’s new cyber crime bill passes through: Joint statement by Media Matters for Democracy, Bytes for All, Pakistan and APC 12 August 2016 Media Matters for Democracy, Bytes for All, Pakistan and the Association for Progressive Communications

Pakistan’s controversial cyber crime bill is poised to become a law after the National Assembly passed it today. Media Matters for Democracy, Bytes for All, Pakistan and APC remain extremely concerned over the failure of legislators to ensure that the law fulfils basic human rights standards.

Written submission to the Human Rights Councils' 32nd session: State of internet rights in India, Malaysia and Pakistan
Written submission to the Human Rights Councils' 32nd session: State of internet rights in India, Malaysia and Pakistan 16 June 2016 Association for Progressive Communications (APC), Bytes for All, Pakistan (B4A), Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and EMPOWER

In India, Malaysia and Pakistan, many of the restrictions imposed on freedom of expression, assembly and association and on the right to privacy are being extended and sometimes heightened in online spaces.

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