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Protecting the people: �Human Rights risks & recommendations for safety

Cameran Ashraf, Max Fischer and Sanda Sandu

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How long was your �journey to Wikimania?

Which continent did you travel from?

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Before we start …

The content and discussion in this session will engage with the topic of violence, which may be emotionally challenging. We will do our best to create a safe space for a critical and empathic exchange of ideas and invite you to be mindful towards yourself and others.�

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This call operates within the Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.

The team is dedicated to providing a harassment-free space and experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, physical appearance, age, race, ethnicity, political affiliation, national origin, caste or religion—and not limited to these aspects. We do not tolerate any form of harassment of conference participants. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference space or talks. Any participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the call at the discretion of the organisers.

To ensure a safe space and protect participant anonymity, please refrain from attributing received information to the speaker. See Chatham House Rules.

If you have questions or need to report an issue, please contact Max Fischer or Sanda Sandu. You can message them on Zoom.

Safe Space

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Human Rights Online

In 2021 the UN affirmed that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online.
The UN emphasized Freedom of Expression as especially important to the realization of human rights online.
The reality of human rights online or digital rights - including Freedom of Expression - is a complex interplay between states and private actors - sometimes to the benefit or detriment of Wikimedians.
The Human Rights Team exists to protect Wikimedians under Article 3 of the UDHR.

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Wikimedia and Human Rights

The Human Rights Policy commits WMF to protect, respect, and uphold the rights of users within our ecosystem
WMF works with coalitions and like-minded organizations to support the community and volunteers.

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Why does the Human Rights Team exist?

Human Rights are essential to enable the 2030 Vision.

The Human Rights Team (HRT) supports volunteers being persecuted by governments or other organized actors for their good faith contributions to the movement.

“Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of person.”, Article 3, UDHR

Not every Wikimedian around the world can freely and safely share in the sum of all knowledge - that’s why the Human Rights Team exists.

Sanda

Human Rights is essential to enable the 2030 Vision - as the Foundation became more global, we realized that Human Rights need to be considered. Not all of our communities exist in jurisdictions where they can freely share in the sum of all knowledge.

When the strategic direction was devised in 2017 (which guides to 2030) -leadership thought about where our communities are located - vast majority is in the EU and North America. They have meaningful societal conflicts and severe problems, but the dangers faced there for participating in Wikimedia projects are significantly different and less dangerous compared to the dangers of persecution elsewhere - and I’ll discuss more about a specific case that some of you are familiar with later.

As the strategy was pushing us as a movement to tear down the barriers to equitable participation, the Foundation recognized that this means being significantly more conscious of the fact that diversity of participation also includes diversity of risk and different political systems as well as to begin designing in recognition of basic human rights in jurisdictions where persecution threats, physical or otherwise are very real.

The wikimedia foundation basically decided that we are not doing what any other platform does (user generated content platform) which is having a human rights team but not doing anything about the userbase’s safety.

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What does the HRT do?

Intro Human Rights - more general and their importance

The presentation will draw attention to the integration of the human rights based approaches in Wikimedia's free knowledge projects and help advance the realisation of multiple human rights, including the right to free expression, access to information and the right to be treated with dignity.
It also attempts to open up space for Oversight members to join in discussing the challenges posed to human rights and how to better ensure the prevention, protection, and promotion of human rights in digital environments.
International human rights norms provide a powerful framework for Wikimedia to understand and address the risks associated with its free knowledge projects. Human rights norms, including the International Bill of Human Rights and the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs), offer a global, broadly accepted standard of values to mitigate human rights risks.

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Physical and Digital Safety Measures

Partnerships with international and regional organizations. Building a network of partners to support community members.

Wikipedians and Wikimedia are ensuring freedom of information.

Support volunteers through information, reports on safety and security, legal assistance, etc. �We respond according to unique complexity of the case.

Wikipedia Community & Wikimedia Foundation Response

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Digital Safety

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Access to information

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Support volunteers

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Partnerships

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Threats to the Movement

Harmful Content �(Including Disinformation)

Harassment

Government Surveillance & Censorship

Limitations on Knowledge Inequity

Broad, Universal Threats and threats to individuals

Threats to Privacy & Personal Safety

External Events

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Wikimedia digital security best practices
Human Rights Education and Monitoring Resources

Learn.Wiki
Train the trainer

Mental Health Resource Center

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Why?

(Misinformed) Sense of security
To protect yourself and your loved ones
Easy, low-cost, minimal to no blowback way to hurt someone
Digital harm travels into physical spaces
We are Wikimedians

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Digital Safety Clinic: Room 6

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Community Brainstorm�(Guiding questions)

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What is the best Wikimedia safety advice you have received?

What additional support or resources do you think the Human Rights Team should provide to volunteers?

What are your hopes for the future of human rights in the digital space?

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Questions �and Answers

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Thank you!

We are looking forward working with you:

talktohumanrights@wikimedia.org