We are keenly aware that neither our mission nor the bearing out of that mission in our daily work insulates WITNESS from the moral and ethical blights of systemic racism, white supremacy, and neo-colonialism. As an institution and as individuals within that institution, we recognize that we have a pressing obligation to examine this truth with earnestness and rigor, in order to make reparative, restorative, forward-looking amendments to both our personal behaviors and our infrastructure. 

As a global network of activists with strengths in both the Global North and the Global South, we must continue to fight for, build, and support equitable power within a human rights framework, and continue to do the internal work necessary to do better. This includes re-evaluating dynamics of power within the organization. To date, we have worked to carefully monitor how we practice the critical human rights that are at the heart of our mission and live our policies, both internally among colleagues and externally in our partnerships with activists worldwide. 

Our work around the world is to create spaces where people feel empowered, supported and affirmed. We are fully committed to doing more toward necessary institutional reform—including structural and policy changes around power and equity—and we welcome ongoing constructive feedback with that end in mind. We must do amongst ourselves the work we ask others to do. 

A group of human rights activists and organisations from Southeast Asia are calling to stop the attacks on democracy and media activists, as well as other individuals-at-risk, for their expression online. In the increasingly authoritarian region, we stand witness to bloggers, protestors, human rights defenders, journalists and everyday internet users being harassed, threatened, beaten, prosecuted and imprisoned for their legitimate use of online spaces.

The many brave individuals people fighting discrimination, hostility and violence include Nguyen Van Hoa (Vietnam), Le Dinh Luong (Vietnam) and Min Htin Ko Ko Gyi (Myanmar), who are currently in prison for expressing dissent and exercising their rights online. Their detention violates their guaranteed constitutional and international human rights. They are sentenced to lengthy prison terms and we fear for their physical and psychological integrity.

We stand in solidarity with Fahmi Reza (Malaysia) who was convicted; and Maria Ressa (Philippines), Margarita Valle (Philippines), Dandhy Laksono (Indonesia), Karn Pongpraphapan (Thailand) and Michael Do Nam Trung (Vietnam), who were recently released from detention, while Veronica Koman (Indonesia) and Lookate Chonthicha (Thailand) face threats of arrest and legal harassment for exercising their rights through digital tools. Authorities have often confiscated digital devices of activists, violating their privacy and hindering their work.

The harassment has also been extended to civil society organisations including Sisters in Islam (Malaysia) against whom a fatwa was issued banning all their publications including content on social media. AlterMidya (Philippines) on the other hand is facing a defamation suit demanding exorbitant amounts for exposing the role of corporates in cyber attacks. We view these as deliberate attacks on the right to freedom of expression and information.

The increasing number of arbitrary arrests, detentions and prosecutions of individuals exercising their right to freedom of expression online highlights the failure of governments to respect human rights and damages the region’s reputation on the international stage. Southeast Asian governments must stop repressing free expression online, as this ultimately discourages civic participation.

With this statement, we express our collective voice in support for all people to exercise their rights online and call on all Southeast Asian governments to immediately and unconditionally release all detained activists, drop charges and refrain from harassing digital rights activists, advocates and media-makers. The governments in the region must STOP the ATTACKS on our rights and democracy.

Endorsed by:

Organizations:

Association for Progressive Communications
Body & Data (Nepal)
Cambodia Center for Human Rights (Cambodia)
EMPOWER (Malaysia)
EngageMedia
Internet Policy Observatory (Pakistan)
KRYSS Network (Malaysia)
Open Culture Foundation (Taiwan)
Pelangi Campaign (Malaysia)
PERIN+1S (Indonesia)
PurpleCode Collective (Indonesia)
Radio Rakambia (East Timor)
SAFEnet (Indonesia)
Sindikasi (Indonesia)
Storycycle (Nepal)
Stop the Attacks (Philippines)
Thai Netizen Network (Thailand )
Viet Tan (Vietnam)
West Papua Updates
WITNESS

Individuals:

Pavitra Ramanujam
Gayatri Khandhadai
Nancy Yu
Laura Summers
Somphop Krittayaworagul
Jason Liu
Khon Danaeth
Buth Vanndy
Hein Min Oo
Satt (Tharthi Myay)
Ry Kruy
Dionisio
Nontarat Phaich
Lainie Yeoh
Shubha Kayastha
Farhanah Zevonia
Christiana X Belo
Christopher Burdett
Thina Lopez
Dr. Adam Fish
Sanjib Chaudhary
Azreen Madzlan
Aghniadi
Pitra
Harun
Rezwan
Ry Kruy
Buth Vanndy
San Chey
Irine Wardhanie

For more on WITNESS’ programmatic work in Asia, follow WITNESS Asia on Facebook and Twitter.