View source for 2011 annual report of the United Nations’ Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression

[The full report is available here:] [http://freedomindex.apc.org/images/b/b6/A.HRC.17.27_en.pdf Report on freedom of expression on the Internet by UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of opinion and expression, Frank La Rue to UN Human Rights Council in Geneva]
[http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrcouncil/docs/17session/a.hrc.17.27_en.pdf]


[Summary "This report explores key trends and challenges to the right of all individuals to seek,
receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds through the Internet. The Special
Rapporteur underscores the unique and transformative nature of the Internet not only to
enable individuals to exercise their right to freedom of opinion and expression, but also a
range of other human rights, and to promote the progress of society as a whole. Chapter III
of the report underlines the applicability of international human rights norms and standards
on the right to freedom of opinion and expression to the Internet as a communication
medium, and sets out the exceptional circumstances under which the dissemination of
certain types of information may be restricted. Chapters IV and V address two dimensions
of Internet access respectively: (a) access to content; and (b) access to the physical and
technical infrastructure required to access the Internet in the first place. More specifically,
chapter IV outlines some of the ways in which States are increasingly censoring
information online, namely through: arbitrary blocking or filtering of content;
criminalization of legitimate expression; imposition of intermediary liability; disconnecting
users from Internet access, including on the basis of intellectual property rights law; cyberattacks;
and inadequate protection of the right to privacy and data protection. Chapter V
addresses the issue of universal access to the Internet. The Special Rapporteur intends to
explore this topic further in his future report to the General Assembly. Chapter VI contains
the Special Rapporteur’s conclusions and recommendations concerning the main subjects
of the report"]