IGF in Saudi Arabia: not with that human rights record – Access

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Home / Press Releases / IGF in Saudi Arabia: not with that human rights record
Content note: The following post contains references to violence, sexism and misogyny, torture, and murder.
The United Nations’ Internet Governance Forum (IGF) should not be held in Saudi Arabia in 2024 due to the country’s abysmal human rights record. The government’s protracted history of civil society oppression would make it unviable for civil society to freely and safely participate in the meeting, excluding the very voices that give legitimacy to the Forum.

Through an open letter, Access Now, Association of Progressive Communications (APC), and civil society partners are calling on the IGF to reverse this decision and urgently review the decision-making process.

Watch the direct intervention by Access Now and APC at the closing of IGF Kyoto 2023:

The government of Saudi Arabia uses online technologies to muzzle and intimidate activists, human and women’s rights defenders, and members of the media, and violate the rights of the people who live there through censorship and surveillance. Saudi Arabia uses real-life torture and murder to silence journalists and those critical to the regime, while outlawing same-sex relations and criminalizing forms of gender expression.

The IGF is a “global multistakeholder platform that facilitates the discussion of public policy issues pertaining to the internet,” and cannot function in an arena that excludes or threatens women, LGBTQ people, and civil society.

The co-signers of the open letter, representing a group of more than 45 organizations from around the world, are demanding the IGF: 
If you would like to arrange an interview with one of our Access Now experts, have a question, or are interested in further information on any of our areas of focus, please contact press [at] accessnow [dot] org. Subscribe to receive media alerts.
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