Chile before the presidential run-off: democracy itself is at stake Published: 17 December 2021 Interview In the second round of the presidential elections on 19 December 2021, Chile will be deciding between the far-right candidate, José Antonio Kast, and the left-wing progressive Gabriel Boric. Non-voters and anti-politicians may be able to tip the balance in these pivotal elections. Interview with Gitte Cullmann, office director of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung in Santiago de Chile. By Caroline Kassin
Reflections on the European Democracy Action Plan: An Easily-Overlooked Concern Published: 17 December 2020 Analysis If Europe’s elections are to remain contests of campaigns’ political ideas and not of their digital strategies, the systemic challenges to democracy must not be overlooked by the fires of the present moment. By Varoon Bashyakarla
The price of courage is often death Published: 3 December 2020 Commentary Environmental and human rights activists fight to protect nature, biodiversity and the climate. They champion sustainable development. They defend land and resources from exploitation and destruction. They uncover corruption and abuses of power. And that is precisely what makes their work so dangerous. By Claudia Rolf
Pandemic Politics: Targetted Influence in the Age of Covid-19 Published: 26 November 2020 Background What happens in an election when national or global crises prevent rallies, in-person meet-and-greets, door-knocking, fundraisers, and handshakes? Political parties and candidates must reach people where they are: online, at home, on their phones and in their inboxes. By Christy Lange
Understanding Misinformation: Our Society, Our Technology, Ourselves Published: 12 October 2020 Comment The internet has become the perfect breeding ground and circulatory system for all kinds of untrue or inaccurate claims, thanks in part to the sheer speed and volume of information that it accommodates. As civil society and governments focus on increasing media literacy and pressuring technology companies to change their policies, what can citizens and technology users do in the face of misinformation? By Christy Lange
On the Value of Human Rights Published: 11 September 2020 Analysis In 2020, we celebrate 75 years of the UN, the intergovernmental organization that, since its formation, aimed to maintain international peace, security, and a protection of human rights. Silke Voß-Kyeck, an expert on the United Nations and rapporteur for Forum Menschenrechte, explores the correlation between finances and human rights protection within the UN for the 75th anniversary of the organisation. By Silke Voß-Kyeck
The Zoom Boom: It Matters Which Tech Tools You Choose to Work from Home Published: 31 August 2020 Due to the pandemic and the resulting quarantine, millions of people around the world found themselves at home and in need of digital tools to continue their work and communication. Yet, how secure are the digital tools that have become a part of our everyday life? By Christy Lange
The Behavioural Surveillance Dilemma: Human Rights, Technology and the New Normal Published: 30 July 2020 Analyse "When we recover we must be better than before." This sentiment has been echoed frequently in the response to the Covid-19 crisis. It is a sign of hope and an invitation to utilise the crisis for progress. Will this be a positive leap forward or a move in the wrong direction? By Stephanie Hankey
Tackling hate speech requires the protection of freedom of expression Published: 17 December 2019 Analysis In a digitalized and increasingly polarised world, questions about how to protect freedom of expression online while curbing hate speech and online abuse, are at the centre of discussions about human rights protection. By Patricia Meléndez
Protecting those who defend our human rights Published: 10 December 2019 Background Human rights defenders advocate humanity and fight for freedom, dignity, equtiy and equality for all people. In many countries, they're being surpressed and punished for standing up for those who can't. Therefore, the mandate of the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders was created. By Salma El Hosseiny