Human Rights and the Internet in Europe

Abstract

Internet connectivity in Europe is relatively advanced. Internet usage by European human rights organizations (HROs) is growing quickly. The higher telecommunications costs (local calls are charged by time) hamper growth, to a degree, and have resulted in protests by the public and HROs. This chapter provides an overview of the use of the Internet in Europe as it relates to human rights. It will examine general Internet usage and the specialist Internet services for the human rights community. A few of the popular starting points for surfers looking for European human rights groups on the Internet will be reviewed. The chapter will also examine the important role that the Internet played in mobilizing activism and in circulating human rights information about the former Yugoslavia, and Internet policy issues, particularly relating to privacy, and the relationship between Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the police or security services.