Blogging in South Asia can be a dangerous enterprise. In the last year, 4 bloggers have been killed in Bangladesh, while a number of others have been targeted across the region in various ways simply for expressing their views online. Both state and non-state actors share responsibility for this climate of fear and intimidation. A collusion of repressive laws, compromised criminal justice systems, impunity, and rising intolerance has actively fueled this increasingly violent trend. The result has been a severe chilling effect in which freedom of expression is stifled both online and offline.
The side event to the 30th Regular Session of the UN Human Rights Council – “Expression under intimidation: Bloggers under attack in South Asia”- will host a panel of well-known South Asian bloggers who will share their stories and discuss the perilous situation in the region.
Date: Friday, 18 September 2015
Time: 10:00 Am to 11:30 AM
Venue: Room XXIV, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland
