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Coronavirus and human rights: Preparing WITNESS’s response
UPDATE: Our COVID-19 landing page is here (and Portuguese, Spanish) COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is creating rapid and dangerous human rights implications globally, directly impacting people’s lives, livelihoods, security, health, ability to work and freedom of movement and assembly, as well as leading to implications for digital rights and increasing online surveillance. The immediate implications of coronavirus – […]
Sam Gregory
March 30, 2020
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Human rights defenders are not terrorists, and their content is not propaganda
Counter-terrorism is not a field that is known for its respect of human rights. The word terrorism, though it does not have any commonly agreed upon legal or societal definition, has often led to the implementation of repressive measures, not only in authoritarian regimes, but also in countries recognized as democracies. The United Nations Office […]
WITNESS
January 21, 2020
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What image keeps you fighting for human rights?
As we look to the dawn of a new decade in 2020 and the “Best [insert noun] of the 2010s” listicles start cluttering our news feeds, let’s take a collective breath together. On December 10th, join us and share what image keeps YOU fighting for human rights. And let's inspire millions together!
Dalila Mujagic
December 4, 2019
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WITNESS tells world leaders- don’t delete opportunities for justice
24 September 2019 Today, the New Zealand government announced an update on the Christchurch Call to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online. The Christchurch Call emerged in the aftermath of the horrific live-streaming of the March 15 attack against a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand. The perpetrator livestreamed the murder of 51 people, and […]
WITNESS
September 24, 2019
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Promoting and Defending the Right to Record
Secrecy breeds impunity. But the ability to record the police and military can expose human rights abuses to the world. International human rights law confirms the right of everyone, not just the press, to record military and law enforcement without fear of arrest, violence, or other retaliation. But unfortunately, the reality is that right isn’t […]
WITNESS
April 2, 2019
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WITNESS brings together voices to push back on dangerous EU “Dissemination of Terrorist Content” proposal
What do human rights defenders, journalists, archivists, and digital rights groups from California to Lebanon to Southeast Asia have in common? We all agree that the proposed Regulation on Dissemination of Terrorist Content Online, currently moving through the Committee process in the European Parliament, is a serious threat to free expression online—and, paradoxically, to efforts […]
WITNESS
January 28, 2019
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What image gives you hope for human rights?
[UPDATE, DECEMBER 10th] In just a few hours, we’ve already received responses from activists in more than 20 countries and contributions continue to pour in on Twitter and Facebook! THANK YOU – we’re humbled by your courage and grateful for your participation! We’ll keep updating this playlist throughout the week with your images of hope: […]
Priscila Néri
December 6, 2018
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What’s Up, WhatsApp?
We share some ideas for how WhatsApp can combat misinformation while preserving end-to-end encryption.
WITNESS
November 13, 2018
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Occupying Dhaka
Inspiring widespread activism on social media, a nation-wide youth-led movement for road safety emerged across Bangladesh and in cyberspace, as students in Dhaka drove the city to a standstill.
Meghana Bahar
October 22, 2018
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No Means No: the Yaquis Uphold the Right to Their Lands
Despite the unequivocal rejection by Loma de Bácum authorities of Sempra Energy’s proposed pipeline project, as well as a federal judicial decision barring pipeline construction on Yaqui territory in Bácum, Sempra Energy continued to build its pipeline through 9 miles of their farmland.
Dalila Mujagic
September 24, 2018
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The Right to Record Recognized at the United Nations
Last month, the United Nations Human Rights Council promoted the right to record explicitly in resolution A/HRC/38/L.16 — WITNESS explains what this means for activists and human rights defenders around the world.
WITNESS
August 2, 2018
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New United Nations Report calls on companies to take a “A Human Rights Approach to Platform Content Regulation”
Our Tech+Advocacy Program Manager Dia Kayyali breaks down the Special Rapporteur's newest report to the UN Human Rights Council, a report calling for a "human rights approach to platform content moderation."
WITNESS
June 19, 2018
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Last Month In Video: From Rio to Catalonia and beyond
From Facebook's recent algorithm change to eyewitnesses capturing footage of police helicopters shooting into neighborhoods in Rio, and Catalonia's Skype president, here is Last Month in Video, January 2018 edition.
Dalila Mujagic
February 16, 2018
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Last Month in Video: August
When WITNESS was founded in 1992, we wanted to get cameras in people’s hands. This wasn’t an easy task- at the time, cameras weren’t in every household, they weren’t cheap, and it wasn’t instinctive for people to reach for their camera. Now, video is everywhere, and it’s being made by everyone with a cell phone. […]
WITNESS
September 8, 2017
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Fighting for Women’s Rights in Serbia, Sri Lanka and Mexico
Co-written with the contribution of the Sri Lanka section by Meghana Bahar, WITNESS’ Social Media and Communications Consultant for Asia-Pacific and Laura Salas, WITNESS Program Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean. In honor of the achievements of the women and human rights defenders who fought before us and those who fight alongside us now, WITNESS […]
Dalila Mujagic
March 8, 2017