International Principles on the Application of Human Rights to Communications Surveillance

ASL 19 has recently joined hundreds of global groups as signatories of the International Principles on the Application of Human Rights to Communications Surveillance. These principles recognize that privacy is a fundamental human right that is central to the maintenance of democratic societies. As an organization whose mandate abides by the Universal Declaration of Human Right’s Article 19, freedom of expression and information are two fundamental principles we advocate. While these two rights differ from the right to privacy, the two cannot work effectively without the latter. We believe intimidation to speak is a violation of everyone’s basic human right, which is the leading reason we find it crucial for their to be standards of human rights for communication surveillance.

These principles advocate for oversight over how States conduct surveillance in the realm of protected and private information. ASL 19 believes and upholds these principles associated to State conduct of communication surveillance. For a full explanation of the principles, click here.

The following are the principles regarding the practice of State surveillance on communications technology:

·      Legality
·      Legitimate Aim
·      Necessity
·      Adequacy
·      Proportionality
·      Competent Judicial Authority
·      Due Process
·      User Notification
·      Transparency
·      Public Oversight
·      Integrity of Communications and Systems
·      Safeguards for international cooperation
·      Safeguards against illegitimate access