Paradigm Initiative joins the rest of the world today to commemorate the International Human Rights Day, reflecting on the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948.
PIN in a statement on Thursday said every human was entitled to inalienable rights such as the right to life, human dignity, and equality.
Commenting on the occasion, PIN’s Community Manager, Thobekile Matimbe, stated, “As we reflect on our fundamental rights and freedoms, it is critical to highlight that digital rights are human rights. Digital rights are the rights that have enabled education in our African countries and provided a platform for the enjoyment of quality life.
“As we embrace the new normal, we urge African states to ensure better recovery from the effects of the pandemic by embracing technology and enabling internet access to marginalised communities and vulnerable groups.”
The group also called on governments to recognise universal, equitable, affordable and meaningful access to the Internet as necessary for the realisation of freedom of expression, access to information, and the exercise of other human rights.
PIN’s Executive Director, ‘Gbenga Sesan, said, “PIN and its partners are launching Ayeta, a Digital Rights Toolkit to prepare civil society actors for when their work puts them in harm’s way.
“Recent events across Africa, some of which are captured in our upcoming Digital Rights and Inclusion 2020 Report, make this year’s Human Rights Day’s theme a lot more apt and I hope that Ayeta proves to be a useful tool in digital rights protection.”
