Tag: United Nations
Rights-based Digital Cooperation requires transparency on the U.N. Tech Envoy
Five months after the United Nations (U.N.) Secretary-General called on the international community to spearhead its implementation, we’re taking a critical look at progress on the U.N. Roadmap for Digital Cooperation. So far, civil society engagement around selection of the U.N. Tech Envoy — a critical component of the Roadmap — has been lacking.
More than 3.5 billion left in the dark: why we’re still fighting to reach U.N. targets for internet access
If we don’t reach U.N. targets for internet access — providing everyone, everywhere with affordable, open, secure, and high-quality connectivity — we won’t meet the sustainable development goals by 2030.
UNGA 75 Side Event: COVID-19, Surveillance, and the Right to Privacy
The United National General Assembly 75th session is in full swing, and digital rights are taking centre stage at “Protecting Human Rights During the COVID-19 Crisis and Beyond: Digital Pandemic Surveillance and the Right to Privacy” co-organized by Access Now.
Watch: Access Now’s Joseph Steele addresses 75th United Nations General Assembly
In a U.N. meeting on protecting future generations in the digital era, Steele urged global stakeholders to cease exploitative data collection, renew the commitment to bring everyone meaningfully online, and stop internet shutdowns and unlawful censorship.
Digital rights are human rights: Holding Australia, Georgia, Myanmar, and Nauru to account at the U.N.
When member states fail to protect human rights — such as by cutting off internet access in the middle of a global pandemic — we leverage the UPR process to call attention to that failure and press for change.
Human rights groups ask U.N. to intervene in U.S. crackdown on racial justice protesters
Access Now and partners ask the United Nations to take a stand against the U.S. government’s violent response to peaceful protests.
Pandemics, protests, and power in digital spaces: the 44th U.N. Human Rights Council Session in review
In the context of COVID-19 and a wave of protests across the globe, the U.N. Human Rights Council held its 44th session. Here’s our read-out on the reports and resolutions that are key for defending digital rights around the world.
COVID-19 & the right to protest: pressing issues at the 44th Human Rights Council
As the 44th session of the Human Rights Council kicks off amid a pandemic and mass protests, we’re closely monitoring action on the issues impacting digital rights globally.
New U.N. “Roadmap” on tech: only useful if we drive “digital cooperation” forward
What role can the United Nations play in shaping the future of digital rights? A new Roadmap for Digital Cooperation aims to galvanize efforts to “connect, respect, and protect people in the digital age.” Will it work?
U.N. refugee agency: internet access key to COVID-19 response
Access Now is engaging with the UNHCR to support refugees deliberately disconnected from the internet as COVID-19 continues to spread.