human rights and ICTs

Palestinian NGO 7amleh – Arab Center for Social Media Advancement focuses on improving the skills and capacities of Palestinian and Arab civil society through training on social media activism skills and methodologies. Today we proudly welcome them as the latest addition to the APC network.

This paper was developed by APC in response to the call for submissions on the role of national human rights institutions in Southeast Asia in protecting human rights by the Asia Centre. It addresses the ways ICTs and the internet create new spaces where NHRIs can improve the way they function.

From harassment of human rights defenders and civil society activists, to crackdowns on freedom of expression and media freedom, to the threats faced by women and girls under conflict, a diversity of issues were highlighted at the 35th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

What can national human rights institutions (NHRIs) do to uphold and promote internet rights? We extend an invitation to NHRIs to be part of a worldwide movement that seeks to respect, protect and promote human rights in the digital age.

A number of internet issues will be discussed in reports considered at this session, touching on online hate speech, harassment and persecution of journalists and human rights defenders, and the role of ICTs in facilitating the fulfilment of human rights, among others.

As the world commemorates Africa Day this week, APC is convening a roundtable in partnership with the South African Human Rights Commission and the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions in Johannesburg, South Africa.

This paper focuses on highlighting the existing and emerging threats to infringement of fundamental and human rights on account of arbitrary, unnecessary and disproportionate usage of internet and network shutdowns in India by the state.

This piece was motivated by an amazing session on Sex and Freedom of Expression Online.