MISA welcomes the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) resolution to appoint a Special Rapporteur on the right to privacy. More than 60 countries from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe co-sponsored this resolution after months of intense negotiations.
“This is a milestone for the UNHCR and gives the right to privacy the international recognition and protection it deserves”, MISA Regional Director Zoé Titus said.
MISA promotes the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms which states that “… the right to privacy on the Internet should not be subject to any restrictions, except those which are provided by law, for a legitimate purpose and necessary and proportionate in a democratic society, as consistent with international human rights standards”.
The topic of privacy has become important to each citizen globally, especially in the wake of the Arab Spring and the recent developments in the Democratic Republic of Congo where government shut down networks following protests. South Africa was also in the spotlight when the main opposition party, Democratic Alliance (DA), called for an investigation on the mobile network signal that was cut before President Jacob Zuma’s State of The Nation address in February this year.
This position will run for an initial three-year period, starting June 2015, where the Rapporteur will have to monitor and report on issues concerning privacy. This is especially important in a time where discussions about state surveillance are becoming more prominent.
The UN Special Rapporteur will ensure that there is an understanding of the interaction between privacy, freedom of expression and human rights. This includes monitoring all states, as well as the methods used by companies in handling personal data. Where violations are identified, recommendations will be made to deal with the problem at hand.
Information for editors
MISA is a non-governmental organisation with members in 11 of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) countries. MISA’s mission is to achieve media freedom and free expression for all as an essential part of deepening democracy in southern Africa. We envision a world where everyone, including netizens, citizen journalists, activists, scholars and artists can practice their fundamental right to free expression.
Enquiries
Zoé Titus
Regional Director
Media Institute of Southern Africa
Tel: + 264 61 232975
Fax: +264 61 248016
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