human rights
APC is currently participating in the fifth substantive session of the UN Open-ended Working Group on developments in the field of ICT in the context of international security (OEWG), where it will continue to emphasise the need for a human rights-based approach to the work of the group.
The statement, signed by over 100 organisations and individuals, was jointly developed during the DRAPAC23 Assembly convened by EngageMedia and held in Chiang Mai, Thailand from 22 to 26 May 2023. It highlights the increasing threats to digital rights in the region.
The UN's Global Digital Compact (GDC) seeks to develop a common understanding of key digital principles by taking an inclusive approach to internet governance. The APC network has been actively engaging in the GDC process by participating in numerous UN-led consultations, discussions and submissions.
In its statement, APC member Derechos Digitales called for the Compact to recognise the internet as a key enabler for the exercise of all human rights, and to promote meaningful access, which can only exist when people can use the internet freely and safely.
APC is inaugurating a daily audio segment during the 2022 IGF as part of our efforts to facilitate the inclusion of local civil society voices and call attention to the human rights and humanitarian situation in host countries. Watch this space for daily Local Sound Bites during the IGF.
CIPESA and APC collaborated to provide an opportunity for the internet governance community to learn about and discuss the human rights and media freedom situation in Ethiopia, where this year’s global Internet Governance Forum will be held, from 28 November to 2 December 2022. This document summarises the key points that emerged from the conversation.
As the final stage of the trialogue negotiations on the Digital Services Act (DSA) is approaching, ECNL, as part of the DSA Human Rights Alliance, is calling for the Act to truly comply with international human rights standards.
Civil society organisations have an important role in making sure that cyber capacity building is informed by human rights, following one of the capacity-building guiding principles in the previous OEWG final report.
After six years with APC, Asia policy coordinator Gayatri Khandhadai is closing a cycle. In this interview, she takes stock of the learnings gained while coordinating policy-related initiatives and analyses the evolution of critical digital rights issues and spaces in the region.
Should we be cyber-optimists or cyber-pessimists about our digital society and its future? Some new thoughts and updates on how I was thinking about this five years ago.

Association for Progressive Communications (APC) 2022
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