freedom of expression

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.

<p>Participants in “Taller Regional de Teatro Grupo de Occidental”. Photo: Instituto <span class="caps">DEMOS</span>.</p>

APC has a new organisational member! As the APC network’s global advocacy efforts create and strengthen global connections amongst civil society, our membership grows, too. We spoke with Frank La Rue, president of the governing board of Instituto Centroamericano de Estudios para la Democracia Social (DEMOS).

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.