freedom of expression
Today at the Human Rights Council, Persatuan Kesedaran Komuniti Selangor (EMPOWER) and the Association for Progressive Communications (APC) delivered a joint statement calling for urgent attention to the deteriorating situation in Malaysia with regards to the rights to freedom of expression and association.
At the Human Rights Council, APC together with the International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission and the International Lesbian and Gay Association delivered a joint statement highlighting the importance of encryption and anonymity for people who face discrimination and persecution based on their sexual orientation and gender identity.
“Religion is used throughout the region to gain power and suppress free speech,” Bytes for All Pakistan’s Sadaf Baig said during the Regional Consultation on Expression, Opinion and Religious Freedom in South Asia, which brought together more than 70 human rights defenders, activists and journalists in Jakarta.
APC, co-organiser of the Asia Regional Consultation on Expression, Opinion and Religious Freedom, interviewed Kaye about his recent report on encryption and anonymity and strategies to promote freedom of expression in the digital age.
The Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (FORUM-ASIA), together with its Pakistani member Bytes for All, strongly condemns the killing of Sabeen Mahmud. The groups also call on the government of Pakistan to ensure the protection of human rights defenders and bring perpetrators of the brutal murder of Sabeen Mahmud to justice.
We would like to express our concern on the declining standards of freedom of expression in Malaysia and the recent amendments introduced to the Sedition Act. The amendments also threaten freedom of expression online.
APC, along with other organisations, has signed a joint letter of concern on the declining standards of freedom of expression in Malaysia.
Surveillance is one of the greatest challenges for civil society organisations trying to advance human rights on the internet. In South Korea, victims of communications surveillance have adopted an innovative approach to drawing attention to this issue, by launching a counterattack against state surveillance.
APC urges UN Special Rapporteur David Kaye to reaffirm the freedom to use encryption technology and communicate anonymously.
APC strongly condemns the charges laid against Madeeha Abdalla, which are a clear violation of the universal human rights to freedom of opinion and expression, and the right to information.

Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2022
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