In response to escalating human rights violations in the Americas, including gender-based violence and violence against journalists, Derechos Digitales has actively utilized the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism of the United Nations to advocate for state accountability. The UPR, a cornerstone initiative of the United Nations Human Rights Council, evaluates the human rights records of each Member State every five years, offering a unique platform for addressing human rights challenges.
Leveraging its advocacy experience, Derechos Digitales was invited to provide insights and recommendations to RELE and UNESCO during the Global Initiative for Freedom of Expression’s Year 4, focusing on improving the UPR process in Brazil and Ecuador. Their objective was to enhance mechanisms and recommendations ensuring the promotion of freedom of expression, access to information, and the security of journalists within the UPR framework.
Derechos Digitales’ report to RELE and UNESCO detailed their comprehensive approach, which included developing contributions highlighting human rights abuses in digital environments, implementing a communication campaign to emphasize these issues, engaging partners to convey recommendations to decision-makers during the UPR, and sharing lessons learned to refine their strategy. This multi-faceted approach is aimed at not only providing states with pertinent information regarding digital rights in their countries but also at advancing and sharing expertise with local partners to foster continued advocacy and monitoring activities.
In addition to enhancing awareness among countries about threats to Internet freedom, Derechos Digitales’ efforts have significantly contributed to regionalizing Internet freedom concerns in Latin America. They have systematically represented civil society’s needs in both global and regional forums, demonstrating an increased capacity to influence Internet freedom discourse. Furthermore, Derechos Digitales plans to extend its input to the UPR process in Bolivia, which is slated for review in 2024, thus continuing its vital advocacy work.