Resolution on the Promotion, Protection, and Enjoyment of Human Rights on the Internet
Press Statement
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
July 5, 2012
Today, the UN Human Rights Council adopted
by consensus a resolution with the message that there can be no division
or double standard regarding human rights online. The landmark
resolution makes clear that all individuals are entitled to the same
human rights and fundamental freedoms online as they are offline, and
all governments must protect those rights regardless of the medium.
The
free flow of news and information is under threat in countries around
the world. We are witnessing an alarming surge in the number of cases
involving government censorship and persecution of individuals for their
actions online – sometimes for just a single tweet or text message.
This
resolution is a welcome addition in the fight for the promotion and
protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms online, in
particular the freedom of expression, as well as the freedoms of
religion or belief, assembly and association, and the right to be free
of arbitrary interference with privacy.
The United States was
proud to work with the main sponsor, Sweden, and over 80 co-sponsors,
including Brazil, Turkey, Nigeria, and Tunisia, to help pass this
resolution. We will continue to stand with our partners to address
challenges to online freedom, and to ensure that human rights are
protected in the public square of the 21st century.
