freedom of expression

Azerbaijan: Coalition submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review
Azerbaijan: Coalition submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review 11 October 2012

The International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan – of which APC is a member – has made a coalition submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review of Azerbaijan. The report, for which APC has contributed its expertise on “restrictions on freedom of expression online” is for consideration at the 16th session of the UN Human Rights Council’s working group in April/May 2013.

Focus on internet and human rights in South Africa: Interview with Jane Duncan
Focus on internet and human rights in South Africa: Interview with Jane Duncan 11 October 2012 Alan Finlay

“South Africa has adopted some of the more problematic elements of the new post-9/11 surveillance regime, many of which have been authored in supposedly liberal democracies, while failing to incorporate key safeguards that may have been incorporated in these democracies,” says Jane Duncan in an interview for the forthcoming Global Information Society Watch.

Focus on internet and human rights in Azerbaijan: Interview with Vugar Gojayev
Focus on internet and human rights in Azerbaijan: Interview with Vugar Gojayev 08 October 2012 Alan Finlay

Since the outbreak of the Arab Spring in 2011, government has shown much desire to regulate the internet. The uprising in the Guba district in March 2012 has shown the pivotal role that social media can play in Azerbaijani political life, Vugar Gojayev told APCNews, in an interview for the forthcoming Global Information Society Watch report.

It’s OurTube: Religion-based censorship will only fuel hate speech
It’s OurTube: Religion-based censorship will only fuel hate speech 19 September 2012 Bytes for All Pakistan

Bytes for All, Pakistan, strongly condemns hate speech on the Internet, however banning channels of communication, limiting access to information platforms, and steps to curtail free expression only serve to pave the way for politics-based control systems that curb the voices of individuals.

Taking the highway to Grahamstown
Taking the highway to Grahamstown 07 September 2012 FD

Five years back, I took the highway to Grahamstown, South Africa. I had landed in Port Elizabeth before being picked up by a Rhodes University shuttle bus. This year, Highway Africa is taking place at Rhodes in Grahamstown for the 16th time and looking at the media’s coverage of Africa’s rising.

Victory for freedom of expression in South Korea
Victory for freedom of expression in South Korea 07 September 2012 AL

On the 23rd of August 2012, South Korean digital rights organisation Jinbonet won a long struggle. For the last five years, the APC member group fought an internet real name system regulation, ruled unconstitutional by the country’s highest court.

How the internet impacts human rights
How the internet impacts human rights 28 August 2012 FD

Human rights play out differently on the streets than on the internet. This has been true for years, but today in age, not only are ‘internet rights’ are being promoted — they are also being violated at an astounding speed. David Souter has investigated the internet’s impacts on human rights. Also check out our infographic of his comprehensive research.

Macedonians under high (cyber) surveillance
Macedonians under high (cyber) surveillance 15 August 2012 FD

Skopje is not exactly a landmark for free thinkers, social critics and other kinds of independent folks. However, that does not mean that discordant voices do not make themselves heard. A chronicle of media resistance in Macedonia.    

Azerbaijan: Q&A on Human Rights and the Internet
Azerbaijan: Q&A on Human Rights and the Internet 13 August 2012 FD

APCNews has interviewed Rebecca Vincent, a human rights consultant who is currently working with ARTICLE 19 to coordinate the International Partnership Group for Azerbaijan, a coalition of international organisations working to promote and protect freedom of expression in Azerbaijan. Here’s her take on the human rights situation on Azerbaijan’s net.

Internet rights at the 13th session of the Universal Periodic Review: responses and follow-up
Internet rights at the 13th session of the Universal Periodic Review: responses and follow-up 27 July 2012 Shawna

In May 2012, APC supported participation in the 13th session of the UPR by members and networks from Ecuador, India, Brazil, South Africa and the Philippines, following stakeholder report submissions made in late 2011. Several governments expressed interest in internet-related issues, including the right to information, freedom of expression, and cybersecurity.

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