The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is pleased to announce Spain as its newest member. By becoming a member, Spain has committed to upholding and advancing the Coalition’s shared goals and values as stated in the FOC Founding Declaration, the Tallinn Recommendations for Freedom Online and Nairobi Terms of Reference.
As noted in its letter of intent, “Spain is fully committed to the respect of fundamental human rights and freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 19, as well as the right to freedom of assembly and association, the right to the protection of the law against arbitrary interference with his or her privacy, and the freedom of religion or belief, amongst others”. Additionally, “Spain respects the principle that the human rights that people have offline enjoy the same protection online”, “is committed to the Internet policies that promote the free flow of information and that protect human rights and foster innovation, creativity, and economic growth” and “is committed not to pursue policies contrary to the obligations implied by these commitments such as illicit monitoring, filtering and hacking, on- and offline repression of network technology users”.
In this respect, as highlighted in its letter of intent, Spain explicitly pledged to:
- Share, as appropriate, information with FOC member states about potential violations and other measures that undermine the enjoyment of freedom of expression and other human rights on the Internet and through connection technologies around the world, and to consider measures needed to protect and advance these rights, working in close engagement with all relevant stakeholders
- Work with FOC members – both politically and through project aid – to support individuals and groups, particularly those operating in repressive environments, to exercise their human rights through the Internet and connection technologies
- Cooperate diplomatically with FOC members in appropriate international and regional organizations and with individual countries to promote the freedoms of expression, association, and peaceful assembly with respect to the Internet and connection technologies
- Work with businesses and civil society groups to enhance respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms online
The Spanish candidature to become member of the FOC was made known to the participants at the FOC Open Forum at the Internet Governance Forum (IGF), in João Pessoa, Brazil, on 12 November, by the Spanish Ambassador-at-large for Cybersecurity, Mr. Ricardo Mor Solá. Ambassador Mor encouraged the representatives of other governments participating at the Open Forum to join the FOC by subscribing the principles and goals of the Coalition.
The Coalition’s efforts to advance Internet freedom worldwide are now shared by the following countries: Australia, Austria, Canada, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, the Republic of Maldives, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and the United States.
