Answer given by Mr Oettinger on behalf of the Commission
21.10.2015
Since the launch of the ‘No Disconnect Strategy’ in 2011, its goals have been incorporated to the ‘EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline’. When addressing freedom of expression, the EU is therefore paying special attention to promotion and respect of human rights in cyberspace.
As for concrete projects, there is an ongoing feasibility study on a European Capability for Situational Awareness (ECSA) platform in relation to Internet censorship, surveillance and attacks threatening human rights.
As for EIDHR, rights online have been of focus: in 2012, EIDHR awarded projects to fight cyber-censorship and protect confidentiality of activists for EUR 4.13 million. One example: the ‘Anti-Censorship Shelter’ which teaches activists to circumvent censorship, protects electronic communications and maintains online anonymity. In addition, the EIDHR Emergency Fund for Human Rights Defenders provides temporary relocations, financial grants and assistance to ‘cyber dissidents’ at risk. As for the EIDHR AAP 2015, EUR 4.55 million has been allocated to a media and freedom of expression programme, which will start in 2016
Following proposals by the EP, the Commission has also set up a number of pilot projects, such as the Centre for Press and Media Freedom to address violations of media freedom and pluralism by providing practical solutions and guidance to journalists[1]. A Media Pluralism Monitoring tool[2] is also being currently implemented.
As regards Internet governance, the Commission remains similarly committed to a vision of an open and free Internet presented in the communication on Internet Policy and Governance (COM(2014) 72), and will publish a report on its implementation this year.