Iran: supporting digital activism to promote democratic reform, human rights and the rule of law

 
On 27 September 2010, in the framework of the conference entitled “Digital Democracy: Using Virtual Ways to Promote Real Rights” organised at the United Nations Office in Geneva, Switzerland, by the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) and the Transnational Nonviolent Radical Party, No Peace Without Justice (NPWJ) will present its project of an internet-based map documenting post-electoral events in Iran. The aim of this tool is to facilitate the coordination of efforts by civil society’s representatives inside Iran to report on and provide evidence about post-electoral events and strengthen the available tools for Iranians to advocate for election transparency, rule of law and democratic non-violent political practices.
 
Within the framework of its MENA Democracy campaign, the NPWJ Iran Program, begun in 2007, aims at reinforcing and supporting domestic civil society actors, democracy advocates and reformers working for the promotion of democratic values, the respect of human rights and the rule of law and advocating for greater public participation in the political process, while leaving it up to local actors to determine objectives, strategies and methodologies and ensure that political and democratic reform in Iran comes from the efforts of Iranians working inside the country.
 
 
Declaration by Niccolo' Figa-Talamanca, Secretary General of No Peace Without Justice:
 
“The spread of digital technology is one of the main innovations of the past decade, through which grassroots organisations and individual activists in the MENA region can increase the impact of their advocacy and increase their cooperation across the region and with the rest of the world. Through digital activism, democracy advocates and civil society organisations can increase their capacity to have a positive impact on political and democratic life, by proposing, initiating and sustaining actionable policy priorities and shared solutions in support of democratic values, respect for human rights and the rule of law.
 
In the aftermath of 2009 presidential election in Iran, and despite multiple restrictions and repression against freedom of speech, press and assembly, a large-scale endogenous popular movement developed in the country with the aim to demand for fair and genuine elections, electoral transparency and respect of democratic values and principles. NPWJ belief that the time has come for the international community to act in support of Iranian civil society at this crucial juncture in the history of the country’s democratic movement. It is in this spirit that we are developing an internet-based map documenting and displaying existing public source information about the post-electoral events  in Iran in order to favour its civil society coordination and amplify their voices as well as increase public awareness and supporting the right of information for the Iranian population. We hope this tool will serve as a useful resource to those who wish to heed the call of Iranian civil society leaders and provide them with the support they need right now." 

 
The Conference will be held in the Palais des Nations, the United Nations Office in Geneva.
See program attached.
 
For further information, please contact: Gianluca Eramo, email: geramo@npwj.org, phone: +32 (0)2 548-3925 or Nicola Giovannini on ngiovannini@npwj.orgor +32 (0)2 548-3915.