Freedom of expression

#DigitalLawsAsia
#DigitalLawsAsia 19 June 2020 Nerissa Naidoo for CYRILLA

From 10 - 12 June, CYRILLA and APC hosted a Twitter campaign. The purpose of #DigitalLawsAsia was to explore the human rights impacts of digital regulation in South and Southeast Asia.

EngageMedia: The conviction of Maria Ressa: Weaponising cyber libel to suppress freedom of speech
EngageMedia: The conviction of Maria Ressa: Weaponising cyber libel to suppress freedom of speech 16 June 2020 Vino Lucero for EngageMedia

On 15 June, online news organisation Rappler’s CEO and executive editor Maria Ressa and former researcher-writer Reynaldo Santos Jr. were convicted of cyber libel charges, in just one of 11 court cases filed against Rappler, branded one of the staunchest critics of President Duterte.

EngageMedia: Monitoring the ruling on 2019 internet shutdowns in Papua and West Papua
EngageMedia: Monitoring the ruling on 2019 internet shutdowns in Papua and West Papua 15 June 2020 EngageMedia

Earlier this month, the Jakarta State Administrative Court declared as illegal the internet shutdowns in Papua and West Papua enforced by the Indonesian government in 2019.

7amleh: Palestinian Digital Rights Coalition warns against phone application "The Coordinator"
7amleh: Palestinian Digital Rights Coalition warns against phone application "The Coordinator" 15 June 2020

Al Munasq, a dangerous application launched by Israel’s Coordination of Government Activities in the Occupied Palestinian Territory (COGAT) unit last year, violates Palestinians' privacy and can lead to other human rights violations.

Philippines: Guilty verdict against Rappler is proof of "cybercrime law's potential to be used for impunity, censorship, and to chill press freedom"
Philippines: Guilty verdict against Rappler is proof of "cybercrime law's potential to be used for impunity, censorship, and to chill press freedom" 15 June 2020 Foundation for Media Alternatives (FMA)

APC joins FMA in denouncing the guilty verdict handed down in the cyber libel case against online media organisation Rappler’s CEO Maria Ressa and former reporter Reynaldo Santos, Jr. The case is widely regarded to be the ultimate test of the Philippines’ controversial cybercrime law.

"The forgotten constituency": Making a case for digital rights for prisoners in Zimbabwe during and beyond COVID-19
"The forgotten constituency": Making a case for digital rights for prisoners in Zimbabwe during and beyond COVID-19 13 June 2020 David Makwerere

In Zimbabwe, just like in many other parts of the world, prison is highly resented by society. This paper by David Makwerere tackles this largely unexplored subject on digital rights for prisoners.

Engage Media's Pretty Good Podcast: Discussions on digital rights in Asia-Pacific
Engage Media's Pretty Good Podcast: Discussions on digital rights in Asia-Pacific 11 June 2020

On the pilot episode of Pretty Good Podcast: Discussions on Digital Rights, EngageMedia chats with the Association for Progressive Communications executive director, Chat Garcia Ramilo, on the past, present, and future of digital rights in the Asia-Pacific region.

African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition: Launch of position paper in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition: Launch of position paper in response to the COVID-19 pandemic 11 June 2020 African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms Coalition

The newly launched position paper, available in English, French and Portuguese, consolidates Coalition members’ assessment of, and positions on, the promotion, protection and exercise of human rights online in the context of COVID-19.

FMA: Human rights groups condemn Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, call for mass resistance
FMA: Human rights groups condemn Philippine Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, call for mass resistance 08 June 2020 Foundation for Media Alternatives

The House of Representatives has approved a controversial anti-terrorism bill and is rushing it through final reading. Human rights groups are condemning the grossly misplaced priorities of the Philippine Congress when the people are struggling with a global pandemic.

7amleh: Know your digital rights
7amleh: Know your digital rights 02 June 2020

7amleh has published the first guidebook to Palestinian digital rights in Arabic and English. “Know Your Digital Rights: Towards a Safe, Fair & Free Palestinian Digital Space” gives an overview of the digital rights of Palestinians.

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