The Ottawa Agenda:RECOMMENDATIONS FOR FREEDOM ONLINE

Recommendations for online freedom

**A. Reaffirm** our commitment to **respect, protect** and fulfil **human rights** for all, both online and **offline**, as proclaimed in the **Universal Declaration** of **Human Rights** and other **human rights instruments,** as well as the **Freedom Online Coalition’s** various statements and **declarations,** including the **Tallinn Agenda and Helsinki Declaration.**
**B. Underline** the importance of **multi-stakeholder co-operation**, including **governments, international organizations, civil society, private sector, academia, media, the technical community,** and other relevant **stakeholders,** advocating for the development and use of **digital technologies** in ways that **protect and reinforce democracy, human rights** and the **rule of law.**
**C. Underscore** our collective vision of democracy in the **digital age,** through the **lens** of **digital inclusion**, whereby informed and **engaged societies** can **participate** **meaningfully** and **equitably** in all aspects of **society,** both **online and offline.**
**D. Emphasize** the need to **overcome multiple,** **persistent digital divides,** including the gender **digital divide**, and **push back** against the **fragmentation** of the **global Internet,** **stressing** that the **free, open, interoperable, reliable, and secure Internet** and **digital technologies** are critical for the **protection of human rights online** as well as **social and economic development** and **inclusive governance.**
**E. Underline** the importance of **digital literacy** in realizing **human rights** and **fundamental freedoms,** including **navigating diverse** forms of **online content,** enabling access to **reliable information** to make **informed decisions.**
F. **Reiterate** the fundamental importance of **diverse**, **inclusive** and **protected civic participation online,** while expressing concern at growing attempts to **restrict civic space online**, including through **Internet shutdowns, network disruptions** and **censorship.**
**G. Acknowledge** that **women and girls**, as well as members of groups in **situations of vulnerability** and **marginalization suffer disproportionately** from the **digital divide** and the **misuse and abuse of digital technologies,** including **online hate speech** and **online sexual** and **gender-based violence** and **harassment.**
**H. Stress** that individuals must be **protected from violations** and **abuses** of their **rights** **online** including through the arbitrary or **unlawful** deployment of **surveillance technology**, including **spyware** used to **censor**, **intimidate,** and **silence individuals, notably journalists, human rights defenders,** and **political opponents.**
**I. Highlight** with **concern** the **increasingly** **sophisticated threats** to a **healthy information ecosystem,** which **negatively impacts** individuals’ ability to **share, receive,** and **impart ideas** and **information**, and may lead to **polarization**, including through the **abuse of algorithmic tools** or **techniques** with the intent to **amplify** and **prioritize targeted disinformation.**
**J. Note that** emerging **digital technologies,** including **artificial intelligence systems,** offer unprecedented **opportunities** for **human development** and **innovation,** with the potential to **generate** **social** and **economic benefits** and help **protect** and **promote human rights** and **fundamental freedoms**, while remaining concerned by the documented, **ongoing** and possible use of such **technologies** **in repressive**, **authoritarian**, or **discriminatory ways.**
**K. Recognize** that effective efforts to promote **transparency** and **accountability** in the **development** and use of **digital technologies** improve respect for **human rights protections** by **governments** and other **actors** including the **private sector.**

Decide to:

**A. Affirm,** shape and promote global norms, standards and best practices in **international and regional fora** by **strengthening** and **expanding FOC diplomatic networks** to improve **information sharing, coordinate positions,** issue joint statements, and advance **collective strategies.**
**B. Commit** to inclusive and **open multi-stakeholder governance** of **digital technologies,** including the **Internet**, and to sustained dialogue with **external stakeholders** to share knowledge and expertise while proactively engaging with the **FOC Advisory** **Network** as they provide recommendations on **statements, taskforce actions,** **time-sensitive threats** to **freedom online,** and other **activities** that **demand the attention** of and action **by the Coalition.**
**C. Advance** **digital** inclusion **internationally** to promote a **rules-based**, **democratic**, and inclusive world where **human rights** and **fundamental freedoms** are upheld in **online** and **digital contexts,** with the goal of ensuring everyone can fully enjoy their **human rights online.**
**D. Advocate for a global, free, open, interoperable, secure and reliable Internet**, to resist **Internet fragmentation** and **promote accountable,** **inclusive,** and **responsive democratic societies,** at **priority forums,** including the **United Nations,** while working towards overcoming **digital divides,** **advocating** for **ubiquitous, secure, affordable, equitable, and high-quality connectivity.**
**E. Support policies, initiatives, education** and **research** that **increase digital literacy** and **empower individuals** to **think critically** about the information they are **consuming and sharing,** effectively advocating for **risk mitigation** and to taking steps to keep themselves and others **safe** **while navigating diverse online spaces.**
**F. Take action** through **diplomatic channels, public statements,** and other means to collectively **condemn egregious situations worldwide** that undermine **human rights** and **fundamental freedoms** online including the use of partial or complete **Internet shutdowns** and **network restrictions** – as well as highlight **positive developments** for **human rights** in **digital contexts**, while proactively **building long-term civilian resilience** to these **threats,**
**G. Collaborate** with **domestic** and **international** initiatives and **partnerships** that **advocate** for safe and **equitable** **online** spaces for everyone, **elevating traditionally excluded voices**, such as **youth, women and girls,** as well as **persons or groups** in a **vulnerable situation,** such as, **Indigenous Peoples,** **LGBTI** **persons, racial** and **ethnic minorities,** persons belonging to **national** or **ethnic**, **religious** and **linguistic minorities,** persons with **disabilities,** and **older persons,** through the UN and other **international fora**, with specific focus on closing the **gender digital divide** and **preventing** and responding to the exposure of **online gender-based violence, harassment and abuse.H. Cooperate** to prevent the misuse of **surveillance technologies**, including **spyware**, by working to ensure that **digital technologies** are **designed, developed, deployed,** **disseminated, evaluated,** and regulated in ways that **reinforce** and do not undermine democracy, **human rights**, and the rule of law and by promoting **cyber secure** and **stable communications.**
**I. Engage** in **dialogue and cooperation** with the **private sector** to address risks relating to **digital transformation**, such as **disinformation,** and **committing to developing rules** of the road for addressing **information integrity online**

About the Freedom Online Coalition

The Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) is a multilateral coalition of 35 governments that collaborate to advance Internet freedom worldwide. The Coalition provides a forum for like-minded governments to coordinate efforts and work with civil society, the private sector, and other stakeholders to support the ability of individuals to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms online. The FOC invites all states that support a free, open, secure, and interoperable Internet to apply to join the FOC.

The mission and vision of the FOC are founded upon the notion that the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online; a pioneering notion originally outlined in the founding FOC Hague Declaration, reaffirmed in the Nairobi Terms of Reference, Tallinn Agenda, and San José Statement, and further confirmed in UN Human Rights Council resolutions 20/8, 26/13, 28/16, and 32/13, adopted July 5, 2012, June 26, 2014, March 26, 2015, and July 1, 2016, respectively, as well as resolutions 68/167, 69/166, and 71/199 adopted by consensus by the UN General Assembly respectively on December 18, 2013, December 18, 2014, and December 19, 2016.

The FOC seeks to identify best practices regarding the application of human rights obligations and commitments in the evolving online landscape, as well as to call attention to conditions that undermine those rights.

To learn more and view FOC documents, click here