[governance] Action on Freedom of Expression and the Internet

[Anriette Esterhuysen]

Dear IGC list

Just an update for you all on the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of
Opinion and Expression, which will be presented to the Human Rights
Council on Friday 3 June. The report is available at:
http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/17session/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf

APC has issued a written statement is available at
http://www.apc.org/en/pubs/briefs/internet-rights-are-human-rights-claims-apc-human-
and is also attached. Below is an urgent action update which we are
circulating and encouraging action on.

APC is also hosting a side event on Friday 3 June in Geneva which the
Special Rapporteur will attend and we are extending an open invitation
to that event:
http://www.apc.org/en/news/un-human-rights-council-apc-co-organises-event-int


If you would like to sign on to the APC statement *please do so by
writing to analia at apc.org by Thursday 2
June 2011*.

Best

Anriette

APC URGENT ACTION UPDATE: INTERNET RIGHTS ARE HUMAN RIGHTS

What’s New?

On Friday 3 June 2011, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of
Expression, Frank La Rue, will present his annual report to the Human
Rights Council. This year the report will focus on the internet.  The
report outlines the growing trend of restricting freedom of expression
and association online, and the importance of reaffirming these freedoms
in the online sphere.  Member States can participate in interactive
dialogue on the report and respond to issues.

What are the lobbying priorities of APC?

We want all States to commit to positive steps in response to the
report. APC has issued a written statement with 30 recommendations for
practical actions including repeal of laws restricting free speech,
ending practices of unlawful surveillance, establishment of clear and
transparent legal procedures for the blocking of illegal content and the
passing of laws that protect the security and privacy of citizens'
personal information. All State delegations will have a copy of this
statement which is available at:
http://www.apc.org/en/pubs/briefs/internet-rights-are-human-rights-claims-apc-human-


We emphasise that women’s human rights must be respected and protected
and their rights to freedom of expression and association must not be
restricted, directly or indirectly, in the name of ‘security’ or other
law enforcement measures except as determined in accordance with agreed
human rights standards.

We want the Human Rights Council to adopt a participatory approach in
developing responses to the issues raised by the Special Rapporteur
through open processes that ensure the engagement of all, particularly
vulnerable and marginalised groups, in accordance with the rights based
approach and principles of information sharing, participation and
transparency.

What can you do?

Send a message to your Foreign Ministry today! Contact details for each
Ministry can be found at: http://www.ediplomat.com/dc/foreign_ministries.htm

Copy your message to your country’s Ambassador in Geneva. Contact
details for the Geneva missions of each State can be found at:
http://tinyurl.com/t2cwt

Encourage them to attend the APC side event in Geneva on 3 June that
will highlight these issues
http://www.apc.org/en/news/un-human-rights-council-apc-co-organises-event-int

Point out that internet rights are human rights and that all people have
the right to freedom of expression and freedom of association. No one
should be subject to human rights violations such as:

a) criminalisation of online expression,
b) blocking, controlling and manipulating internet content,
c) interference with privacy and data protection,
d) unlawful surveillance, and restrictions and
e) limitations on internet access. Such actions are contrary to and a
violation of the right to freedom of expression affirmed in Article 19
of the ICCPR.

Ask for action on at least one of the recommendations in the APC statement.

Forward this alert to others. Encourage mainstream human rights
organisations, friends, national human rights institutions and other
allies to contact their governments and make their voices heard.

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