Among the issues to be discussed at the Roundtable on The Role of National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in Protecting and Promoting Human Rights Online, is how the internet can become be a true enabler of human rights, and the role national human rights institutions should play in protecting human rights in the digital age.  

The Roundtable is convened by the Commission in partnership with the Association of Progressive Communications (APC) and the Network of National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI).  

During what has been described as the “Fourth Industrial Revolution,” where the “Internet of Things” and the world-wide-web have determined how we work, transact, and communicate; the utility of the internet and web-based platforms have become central to discourses on human rights.

In November 2016, the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR) adopted a resolution on freedom of expression and access to information on the internet (ACHPR/Res. 362(LIX) 2016), which references the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms. This represents a key opportunity for African NHRIs to ensure that the internet is a tool for the flourishing - and not for the repression - of human rights.

The three-day meeting of NHRIs, civil society members, media experts and academics will explore how human rights frameworks apply to the exercise of rights online with the aim of ensuring that NHRIs leave the meeting with an understanding of the main issues and strategies for promoting internet rights and freedoms in their respective countries. Furthermore, it is hoped that the meeting will strengthen relationships between stakeholders and establish a firm footing to continue collaboration in the future on internet rights and freedoms in Africa.

The three-day meeting will be held as follows:

DATE:     26th – 28th May 2017
VENUE:    South African Human Rights Commission, Braampark Forum 3, 33 Hoofd Street, Braamfontein
Media are welcome to attend.

Ends

Issued by the South African Human Rights Commission.

Gail Smith – Spokesperson Tel: 0609883792 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Gushwell Brooks – Communications Co-ordinator Tel: 082 645 8573 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.