The events in the Middle East and North Africa in 2011 demonstrated the important role of the Internet in mobilising people to demand justice, equality and human rights, writes Ewa Björling, Swedish Minister for Trade in a booklet published by the Swedish government in April, 2012. “Internet freedom is a priority of the Swedish Government. Freedom is the mother of innovation and entrepreneurship. To promote innovation and communication, infrastructures should be interoperable and standards should be open. Overregulation in any area will hamper development.”
New Report About Internet for Trade
April 16th, 2012 Theme: Internet FreedomInternet – the Cradle of Russian Civil Society
March 29th, 2012 Theme: Internet FreedomRussia: the cradle of civil society is the title of an analytical commentary published in OSW Commentary No 72, 2012. “Today the net is an everyday tool of work, information and entertainment for 40% of Russians – the most educated, active and affluent part of the society. The spread of the internet (known in Russia as the Runet) has, in turn, brought about significant political and social consequences.”
Read the newsletter OSW Commentary no 72, 2012
The European Commisson today proposed that a European Cybercrime Centre be established. The purpose is to help protect European citizens and businesses against mounting cyber-threats. The centre will be established within the European Police Office, Europol in The Hague (The Netherlands). The centre will be the European focal point in fighting cybercrime and will focus on illegal online activities carried out by organised crime groups, particularly those generating large criminal profits, such as online fraud involving credit cards and bank credentials.
It is estimated that, worldwide, more than one million people become victims of cybercrime every day. The cost of cybercrime is estimated to an overall total of USD 388 billion worldwide.
China is not only the country in the world with most people but also with the highest amount of internet users. The most recent numbers indicate between 300 and 400 million users. The increase since the year before is estimated to be about 80 million and Chinese is the second most frequent language on the internet. (more…)
Swedish Initiative: UN HR Council to Discuss Freedom on the Internet
February 27th, 2012 Theme: Internet FreedomUN Human Rights Council begins Monday, February 27th its 19th ordinary session in Geneva. Minister for Foreign Affairs Carl Bildt will take part in the session’s high-level segment. It is the first time the question of freedom on the net is on the UN human rights agenda.
Read about the upcomin panel discussion
Internet Freedom
February 16th, 2012 Theme: Internet Freedom
Free information and a global electronic infrastructure constitute two crucial building blocks for increased freedom in the world. Through internet and cell phones, we enjoy immediate access to information from all over the world. There, oppression is exposed, as well as the abuse of power. At the same time, ideas and information spread on the web. The latter is crucial in promoting democracy and combat poverty and oppression.
However, the freedom of information is threatened.
According to Reporters without borders, more than 100 bloggers and netizens are currently held imprisoned for publishing their ideas on the internet. The list of Internet enemies include countries such as Saudi-Arabia, Burma, China, North Korea, Cuba, Egypt, Iran, Uzbekistan, Syria, Tunisia, Turkmenistan and Vietnam. In most of these countries, it is currently considered a crime to voice opinions on the web while the hunt for dissents continues to grow.
In 2010/2011, The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation focuses on Internet Freedom.
Online Freedom Foster Economic and Social Development
January 18th, 2012 News | Theme: Internet FreedomApril 18-19 the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the Internet Infrastructure Foundation (.SE) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) will host the first Stockholm Forum on Internet Freedom for Global Development. The Stockholm Forum aims to deepen the discussions on how freedom and openness on the Internet promotes economic and social development worldwide. (more…)
Swedish Success to Promote Freedom on the Internet
September 30th, 2011 Theme: Internet Freedom
On Thursday September 29, 2011, the UN Human Rights Council adopted by consensus a decision to arrange a panel discussion on freedom of expression on the Internet at its next session in March 2012. The decision was adopted on the initiative of Sweden, with the support of over fifty states from throughout the world. This will be the first time that the Council discusses the issue of freedom of expression on the Internet. “This is a major success for Sweden, which has pushed for the human rights issue to apply online as well as offline”, says Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs. (more…)
Limited Freedom on the Net in Azerbaijan
September 18th, 2011 Theme: Internet Freedom
Next spring, the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in Baku in Azerbaijan, a country unknown by most and ruled by an authoritarian president. Azeri opposition politicians hope that the increased interest for the country and the presence of international media will give them a stronger voice in a country where freedom of speech is significantly restricted. (more…)
The Threat in Cyberspace
August 18th, 2011 Theme: Internet Freedom
The explosive expansion of the Internet has transformed the world: Today there are over 2 billion internet users, new industries have evolved and revolutions been sparked, notes Veiko Lukmann who is advisor to the Defence Minister of Estonia. He writes about the Nato Cooperative Cyber Defence Centre in Tallinn. (more…)