IGF 2024 WS #220 Policy protections for voices of peace during conflict

    Organizer 1: Khalid Ibrahim, 🔒Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR)

    Speaker 1: Khalid Ibrahim, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
    Speaker 2: Marwa Fatafta, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
    Speaker 3: Joey Shea, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

    Moderator

    Khalid Ibrahim, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

    Online Moderator

    Joey Shea, Civil Society, Western European and Others Group (WEOG)

    Rapporteur

    Marwa Fatafta, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group

    Format

    Roundtable
    Duration (minutes): 90
    Format description: Our session primarily aims to shed light on digital policy protections for human rights defenders involved in activism during conflict and war. We not only aim to explore existing policies but also suggest ways for improvement. Within this context, it is important to engage in a discussion that fosters dialogue, interaction, and exchange of ideas to ensure a collation of insights that can potentially be used for policy recommendations or at least inspire future digital governance. The roundtable format provides an ideal setting for this purpose, as it allows for a rich and dynamic exchange of ideas among participants. It also allows attendees to ask questions and take part in the conversation, further contributing to the discussion. The duration of the session, approximately 90 minutes, also allows for in-depth exploration of the issues at hand.

    Policy Question(s)

    There are a number of policy questions we aim to discuss during the session:
    1. How do current national and regional laws or policies protect digital rights that can sustain advocacy for peace?
    2. How can national and regional laws support online activists’ advocacy for peace during conflict?
    3. What role does international human rights law play in protecting the activism of human rights defenders during conflicts and/or against wars?
    4. Considering their significant role as platforms for discussion, how can we ensure the accountability of social media companies in protecting users and human rights defenders working against wars?

    What will participants gain from attending this session? In the MENA region, numerous countries have faced consecutive conflicts, and a key to sustaining efforts to protect peace starts with discussions on pathways to protect the voices of peace. By attending our session, participants will have the opportunity to be part of a meaningful conversation aimed at advancing peace-building efforts in the region. They will be able to gain a nuanced understanding of the importance of policy protections for peace voices during conflicts. They will learn about existing digital frameworks and policies aimed at safeguarding activists involved in peace advocacy. Finally, we aim to provide participants with insights on enhancing national and international digital policy mechanisms, while also promoting greater transparency and accountability within social media platforms to better support the work of activists during conflicts.

    Description:

    Protecting the voices of peace during conflict is crucial for exposing war crimes and promoting peace-building efforts. Online platforms offer human rights defenders a platform to highlight the human cost of war and advocate for an end to violence. However, human rights activists are often faced by digital challenges and threats that hinder their work, including surveillance, cyberattacks, and online harassment and intimidation. Furthermore, their online content may be censored, reducing its visibility and outreach, through the use of specific algorithms that filter out content not meeting biased criteria. As a result, not only is the human rights defenders' protection compromised, but their advocacy can also be severely hampered.
    Through our participation in the IGF this year, we aim to host a roundtable discussion on digital policy protections for peace voices in the MENA region during conflict, bringing together a diverse range of perspectives. By engaging with various stakeholders, including representatives from civil society with expertise in advocacy and research, we seek to explore potential routes and strategies to enhance national and international digital policy frameworks for the protection of human rights defenders and the support of peace advocacy in the region. Additionally, we aim to discuss the role of other actors, including social media companies and platforms, in ensuring the protection of peace voices and in uncensoring their work.

    Expected Outcomes

    We will compile notes during the session to produce a statement or policy note containing the main takeaways learned from the dialogue with the participants. Specifically, we will focus on extracting insights about:
    1. The current state of digital rights protections in the region, particularly in times of conflict.
    2. Recommendations for policy improvements.
    3. Opportunities for international action.
    4. Directions for implementing accountability measures to ensure algorithmic transparency and the protection of online users.
    The statement will be published on the website of the organisation.

    Hybrid Format: We will have an onsite and online speakers and moderators to ensure full participation from all off/online attendees. It's a roundtable session which will be focused on an open discussions between all particpants. Our focus is on engagement will become even more of a priority, with sustained engagement being particularly important.