State Department Netizen Grants Welcomed

Washington, DC – Human Rights First today welcomed reports that the State Department will invest $28 million in grant funding to help internet activists around the world, calling the move an important step toward protecting the fundamental rights of activists working in nations that deny or censor access to the Internet and target those who use this resource in their human rights work. “Today’s funding announcement is a welcome step in the right direction, seeking to address a range of threats to freedom of expression and privacy on the internet,” said Human Right First’s Meg Roggensack. “Our work with civil society activists around the globe demonstrates the need for such efforts as circumvention technology, training and education of human rights activists so that they are aware of the risks they face and how to mitigate them, as well as strategies to encourage companies to do more to protect against censorship and promoted freedom of expression online.”