Catalog
Newsletter
Council of Europe - maximising rights, minimising restrictions (2013)
The Internet is one of the greatest liberating forces of our age: information and global communication have never been as
accessible as today. The Internet has created new opportunities for strengthening democracy. Unfortunately it is also a space or a tool that can be used to restrict democratic freedoms or to perpetrate crimes.
The Council of Europe is working with its 47 member states to make sure that the Internet provides a safe and open environment where freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, democracy, diversity, education and knowledge can flourish.
We promote an Internet with a maximum of rights and services subject to a minimum of restrictions and a level of security which users are entitled to expect. Our ultimate aim is to enhance the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the online environment.
The use of the Internet raises issues related to the protection of rights and freedoms enshrined in the most important Council of Europe treaty, the European Convention on Human Rights, notably the rights to privacy and freedom of expression.
The European Court of Human Rights, which rules on applications alleging violations of the Convention, has already delivered judgments in cases involving the Internet.
In March 2012 the Organisation adopted its first Internet Governance strategy, which contains more than 40 lines of action, including the creation of a compendium of rights of Internet users.
The Internet is one of the greatest liberating forces of our age: information and global communication have never been as
accessible as today. The Internet has created new opportunities for strengthening democracy. Unfortunately it is also a space or a tool that can be used to restrict democratic freedoms or to perpetrate crimes.
The Council of Europe is working with its 47 member states to make sure that the Internet provides a safe and open environment where freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, democracy, diversity, education and knowledge can flourish.
We promote an Internet with a maximum of rights and services subject to a minimum of restrictions and a level of security which users are entitled to expect. Our ultimate aim is to enhance the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in the online environment.
The use of the Internet raises issues related to the protection of rights and freedoms enshrined in the most important Council of Europe treaty, the European Convention on Human Rights, notably the rights to privacy and freedom of expression.
The European Court of Human Rights, which rules on applications alleging violations of the Convention, has already delivered judgments in cases involving the Internet.
In March 2012 the Organisation adopted its first Internet Governance strategy, which contains more than 40 lines of action, including the creation of a compendium of rights of Internet users.