human rights

What is the state of digital security and digital rights advocacy in the Middle East and North Africa?
What is the state of digital security and digital rights advocacy in the Middle East and North Africa? 24 May 2016

During the “Arab Spring” of 2011, the internet was a space for mobilisation. Despite the increasing sophistication of persecution, the efforts to defend human rights, both online and offline, have not ceased.

Digital safety in context: Perspectives on digital security training and human rights realities in the Arab world
Digital safety in context: Perspectives on digital security training and human rights realities in the Arab world 20 May 2016

During 2011, in the period dubbed the “Arab Spring”, the internet was a space for mobilisation. Since then, it has also become a space for oppression of activism and dissent. This research aims to highlight the links between the efforts of digital security trainings in the region with the human rights realities, focusing on two case studies: Morocco and Palestine.    

Digital safety in context: Perspectives on digital security training and human rights realities in the Arab world
Digital safety in context: Perspectives on digital security training and human rights realities in the Arab world 19 May 2016 Reem Almasri

This research aims to highlight the links between the efforts of digital security trainings in the Arab region with the human rights realities, focusing on Morocco and Palestine. It is part of APC’s project Building a culture of online human rights and digital security in the Maghreb-Machrek region.

Cultural rights and the internet in Brazil: Presentation at the 157th session of the IACHR
Cultural rights and the internet in Brazil: Presentation at the 157th session of the IACHR 07 April 2016 APC, ARTICLE 19 and Public Knowledge

At a hearing at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on 7 April 2106, APC, Article 19 and Public Knowledge emphasised the importance of the internet and ICTs for cultural rights in Brazil, and raised key concerns around this issue.

Submission in advance of the consideration of the periodic report of South Africa, Human Rights Committee
Submission in advance of the consideration of the periodic report of South Africa, Human Rights Committee 06 March 2016 Privacy International, Right2Know, and the Association for Progressive Communications

In this submission, APC, Privacy International and Right2Know provide the UN Human Rights Committee with additional, up-to-date information to that contained in the briefing submitted to the Committee in advance of the adoption of the list of issues in April 2015.  

Suggestions for right to privacy-related questions to be included in the list of issues on South Africa, Human Rights Committee
Suggestions for right to privacy-related questions to be included in the list of issues on South Africa, Human Rights Committee 06 March 2016 Privacy International, Right2Know and the Association for Progressive Communications

Privacy International, Right2Know and APC have ongoing concerns on the practices of surveillance by South African intelligence and law enforcement agencies. National legislation governing surveillance is inadequate, leaving significant regulatory gaps and providing weak safeguards.

Violations of freedom of expression in the name of religion increasingly taking place online, impacting women and sexual minorities
Violations of freedom of expression in the name of religion increasingly taking place online, impacting women and sexual minorities 17 February 2016 APC and Bytes for All, Pakistan

Violations of freedom of expression in the name of religion, are increasingly taking place online, and disproportionally impact women and sexual minorities.    

Joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council on the impact of religion on freedom of expression and women's rights online
Joint written statement to the UN Human Rights Council on the impact of religion on freedom of expression and women's rights online 17 February 2016 APC and Byes for All, Pakistan

APC and Bytes for All, Pakistan welcome the report of the Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, which rejects the conflict between freedom of expression and freedom of religion and instead highlights their positive interrelatedness and mutual reinforcement.    

Joint statement on initiatives to "counter and prevent violent extremism”
Joint statement on initiatives to "counter and prevent violent extremism” 08 February 2016 Various

This joint written submission raises serious concerns regarding the potential impact of initiatives to counter and “prevent violent extremism” on the enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms.

Call for clarity on terms of lifting of YouTube ban in Pakistan
Call for clarity on terms of lifting of YouTube ban in Pakistan 25 January 2016 Bytes for All Pakistan and APC

A recent statement issued by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) claimed that Google has “promised” to remove any material deemed offensive by the PTA from YouTube.

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