Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and the Association for Progressive Communication have jointly submitted their submission for the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) India Human Rights Council. DEF is majorly concerned with the human rights, internet rights and making the internet an effective tool to access right to information in India. DEF believes that the internet plays a major role in accessing information and thus a tool for social and economic development. This submission outlines India’s progress and specific areas of concern: information technology (IT) law and policies, the right to information and internet access and internet governance. Four recommendations are made for follow-up and implementation in the UPR cycle. With a reference to our jointly submission of UPR review, and aligning with the points of government’s second Universal Periodic Review, we (DEF & APC) note that the draft Government of India report has serious and significant gaps in relation internet related human rights issues. The absence of any mention of the internet in relation to the right to information weakens the Government’s report.
Download Submission Report in English