New Middle East and North Africa coalition to combat digital surveillance

A number of civil society organisations working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region kicked off MENA Coalition to Combat Digital Surveillance. The coalition is co-led by the Gulf Centre for Human Rights (GCHR) and Access Now among other nine organisations. It aims at advocating against the sales of digital surveillance tools to repressive governments in the region, promoting a safe and open internet, safeguarding human rights, and protecting human rights defenders, journalists, and internet users from digital surveillance tools. Organisations working on defending freedom of expression, privacy, and fundamental rights are invited to join the coalition to support strategic litigation, public campaigns, regional and international advocacy, and documentation of surveillance cases and human rights violations.