New guide for the internet user about human rights online

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Human rights and fundamental freedoms apply equally offline and online. This principle includes respect for the rights and freedoms of other Internet users.

The guide "Human rights for internet users" from the Council of Europe provides you with information about what rights and freedoms mean in practice in the context of the internet, how they can be relied and acted upon, as well as how to access remedies. It is an evolving document, open to periodic updating.

The guide is based on the European Convention on Human Rights and other Council of Europe conventions and instruments that deal with various aspects of human rights protection.

All Council of Europe member States have a duty to respect, protect and fulfil the rights and freedoms contained in the instruments that they have ratified. The guide is also inspired by the continuous interpretation of these rights and freedoms by the European Court of Human Rights and by other relevant legal instruments of the Council of Europe.

The guide does not establish new human rights and fundamental freedoms. It builds on existing human rights standards and enforcement mechanisms.

The guide covers the following:

  • Access and non discrimination
  • Freedom of expression and information
  • Assembly, association and participation
  • Privacy and data protection
  • Education and literacy
  • Children and young people
  • Effective remedies and redress

Find the guide here

(Photo by Violinha)
A compendium of existing human rights for internet users is made to help them understand and exercise their rights when, considering their rights and freedoms have been adversely affected, they communicate with and seek effective recourse from key internet actors and government agencies.
The Steering Committee on Media and Information Society, The Council of Europe

Contact

Senior Researcher, Research