The Brazilian civil society society organisations and public defenders who filed the suit stressed that the facial recognition system currently in use violates the legal requirements established in Brazilian legislation and international treaties.
Welcome to the 44th monthly round-up of developments impacting your local access networks and community-based initiatives. Meet the first ever community network national school in South Africa, Indonesia, Nigeria, Kenya and Brazil.
We invite you to submit a proposal for research on critical and emerging issues related to internet policy discussions and decision making, specifically in Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, with a focus on online gender-based violence. Deadline for applications: 4 March.
Statement
BlueLink: Solidarity with the victims of aggression and the values of a united EuropeThis statement of solidarity with the Ukrainian people from APC member BlueLink was delivered by Pavel Antonov, managing editor of the organisation, live from a civic demonstration in front of the Embassy of Ukraine in Bulgaria.
Research
"Hated Speech" and the Costs of Freedom in IndiaThis research report seeks to draw out the analytical category of "hated speech" by looking at experiences and observations of what it means to speak truth to power and receive hate as it is manifested through varying degrees of violence, across a variety of instances.
Joint open letter
International organisations call for withdrawal and reconsideration of the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission Regulation for Digital, Social Media and OTT PlatformsAPC and other organisations believe the draft regulations are inconsistent with the international human rights framework, imperil people’s freedom of expression and right to privacy, and could put journalists, dissidents, activists and vulnerable communities, in particular, at greater risk.
Open letter
HRC49: Open letter to states on the draft resolution on human rights defendersThe UN Human Rights Council will be discussing a draft resolution on human rights defenders operating in conflict and post-conflict situations. Our organisations call on the Council to ensure that the resolution clearly reflects the gravity and the reality of the situation defenders face daily.
Open letter
APC member 7amleh and 100 other organisations send open letter to Deutsche WelleThis letter is a response to Deutsche Welle's report on its internal investigation into accusations of antisemitism in its Arabic-language news department. The report also investigated DW Akademie partners and includes a number of defamatory accusations against Palestinian partner organisations.
Submission
Internet shutdowns and human rightsThis submission was produced in response to the call by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights for input to a report on internet shutdowns and human rights that will be presented to the 50th session of the Human Rights Council in June 2022.
Joint statement
Organisations and individuals on targeting and exclusion of hijab-wearing Muslim women studentsThe ban on hijabs in classrooms and campuses, which has begun in Karnataka and threatens to spread to other states in India, is a hate crime. We unequivocally stand in solidarity with Muslim women, whether or not they wear hijabs, to be treated with respect and to enjoy the full gamut of rights.
Open letter
Open letter to members of the UN’s General Assembly regarding the ECOSOC Committee on NGOsThe Committee on NGOs is entrusted with facilitating civil society access so that the expertise and experience of civil society partners can enrich and inform UN debates. It needs members committed to fulfilling this mandate in a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and apolitical manner.
I’ve thought long and hard about what it’s possible to write as war rains down on the heart of Europe. I’ve decided to revisit three fundamental questions about the internet and digital development, and ask if we need to reconsider what we mean by them.
How are APC members improving their communities’ lives with the support of APC subgranting? In Central America, the intersection between digital transformation and environmental justice has been a priority for Sulá Batsú for many years.
In its 10th anniversary, the Internet Hall of Fame recently inducted APC co-founder Carlos Afonso. We interviewed Afonso about this honour, his hopes for the internet in Brazil and beyond, radical interventions needed in the word of ICTs, and more.
Columns
In this weekly column, longstanding associate of APC David Souter looks at different aspects of the digital society. Issues covered include internet governance and sustainable development, human rights and the environment, policy, practice and the use of ICTs.
How are APC members improving their communities' lives? In this section we're highlighting stories of impact and change by our members, supported by APC sub-granting.
Other APC sites
