Submitted by crinadmin on
Summary: On 5 July, the U.N. Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on freedom of expression on the internet.
In a resolution (A/HRC/20/L.13) regarding the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet, adopted without a vote, the Council affirms that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, in particular freedom of expression, which is applicable regardless of frontiers and through any media of one’s choice, in accordance with articles 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The resolution recognizes the global and open nature of the Internet as a driving force in accelerating progress towards development in its various forms; calls upon all States to promote and facilitate access to the Internet and international cooperation aimed at the development of media and information and communications facilities in all countries; encourages Special Procedures to take these issues into account within their existing mandates; and decides to continue its consideration of the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights, including the right to freedom of expression, on the Internet and in other technologies, as well as of how the Internet can be an important tool for development and for exercising human rights, in accordance with its programme of work. Sweden, introducing resolution A/HRC/20/L.13, said that the vision of the resolution was to reaffirm the positive impact that the Internet and new information technologies had on society. Freedom of expression should be promoted and protected online as well as offline. To find out what other States said, click here. Further Information
(taking place during the March session)