The advent of the Internet has raised many issues around the intersection of human rights and technology. The question is how the existing local Internet legislation safeguards human rights in the digital space. Aiming to demystify some of these challenges, Hivos and ARTICLE 19 have announced the launch of Internet Legislation Atlas platform.
Internet Legislation Atlas | Promo video from VIVIDO STUDIO on Vimeo.
The Internet Legislation Atlas is an initiative that looks into the ecosystem of Internet-related laws in countries in the MENA region, where the legal frameworks that regulate human rights on the Internet can be arbitrary and ambiguous. ILA assesses the level of compliance of selected digital rights laws with international human rights standards.
Currently, the project provides legal analysis of the frameworks governing the Internet in seven countries: Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Tunisia. The ILA’s assessment has identified numerous challenges in the region which range from lack of transparency to arbitrary policies, vague Internet legislation with loopholes, absence of consultation with the public and poor understanding of Internet governance.
With the ILA project, Hivos and ARTICLE 19 strive to identify opportunities for improvement, and raise the awareness of concerned stakeholders to be engaged in the Internet governance process and participate in the policy discourse.
The project has been developed in collaboration with local communities and consultation with the different stakeholders. ILA local partners are: Association for Freedom of Expression and Thought (Egypt), ASL19 (Iran), Iraqi Network for Social Media (Iraq), 7iber (Jordan), Maharat Foundation (Lebanon and Syria) and Amor Boubakri (independent consultant/Tunisia).
About Hivos’ IGMENA
Through IGMENA, Hivos empowers civic actors to participate in Internet governance and policy discussions at the national and regional level and creates physical and digital spaces to promote discussion about digital rights and the management of the Internet. IGMENA trains civic actors to become Internet governance leaders, sponsors civil society participation in the global policy dialogue, organizes roundtable discussions about Internet policy, and conducts outreach to raise awareness about human rights as they apply to Internet users.
For more info about IGMENA: www.igmena.org
Hivos
Hivos is an international organisation that seeks new solutions to persistent global issues. With smart projects in the right places, we oppose discrimination, inequality, abuse of power and the unsustainable use of our planet’s resources. Counterbalance alone, however, is not enough. Our primary focus is achieving structural change. This is why we cooperate with innovative businesses, citizens and their organisations. We share a dream with them of sustainable economies and inclusive societies.