UN says Internet Access is a Basic Human Right

[Lilani]

That's right, folks. [http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/06/03/6781285-un-report-internet-access-is-a-basic-human-right-] With all of the hubbub about LulzSec and their crusade to piss off as many people as quickly as they possibly can, I thought this little article could quell a few fears.

The article states the following regarding Internet access, in response to a fear coming from many governments that the Internet gives people more power than ever to organize themselves:

"Facilitating access to the Internet for all individuals, with as little restriction to online content as possible, should be a priority for all States," says the report, published on May 16 by Frank La Rue, a "special rapporteur" for the UN's Human Rights Council.

And one paragraph later:

The report urges states to avoid or amend any laws that "permit users to be disconnected from Internet access."

So for any government in the UN were to establish a strict, state run Internet now would put them in hot water with the rest UN. I hope this news offers a little glimmer of hope for you, as LulzSec rampages to stamp out every light that they can.

*IMPORTANT NOTE*

This announcement DOES NOT mean that the UN is saying everyone should be given free access to Internet, like some sort of universal healthcare system. All they are saying is that governments should not step in and deny, hinder, or censor Internet access for no good reason.

 

[Canadamus Prime]

Yeah, in the wake of LulzSec, I'm no longer sure that's such a good idea.
BTW, LulzSec is a really really really retarded name.

 

[Freshman]

Well, as reassuring as that is, its kind of dumb. I don't really see internet access as a basic human rite, you certainly don't NEED it for anything. And on second thought, its not that reassuring, there's places all over the world where people aren't getting their human rites, and the UN sure as hell isn't doing anything about it.

 

[Tiger Sora]

Basic human rights are supposed to be what you need to live. Water, food, shelter. The internet is an access to like... all the knowledge you'll ever need. Pretty sure thats a luxury going that far.

 

[GodofCider]

I think people here are confusing 'need' with 'right'.

On topic...

Good news. ^_^

 

[Lilani]

Basic human rights are supposed to be what you need to live. Water, food, shelter. The internet is an access to like... all the knowledge you'll ever need. Pretty sure thats a luxury going that far.

That's just it, though. The Internet is knowledge, in its most open and unhindered form. The UN is saying that every human has the right to access such knowledge. Like books or the news, no government should interfere with anyone's access to it.

Now, given the UN's history with upholding their statutes, this could very well mean a whole lot of nothing. But still, it's a step in the right direction. And at least they addressed the issue before the LulzSec thing hit (if only by a few days).

 

[thePyro_13]

It is a basic human right, the amount of knowledge, know-how and just general awareness the Internet has provided me has no doubt made my life significantly easier compared to someone without access.

 

[FalloutJack]

Yeah, in the wake of LulzSec, I'm no longer sure that's such a good idea.
BTW, LulzSec is a really really really retarded name.

These basic rights do not apply to criminals who abuse it, obviously. Like dumbass hackers.

 

[Shadow_Bunnies]

Yes, suppression of information is an aspect of a totalitarian state, thus you are a stupid sheep to say that you don't have any right to information and that it is a privilege. Obviously it's not a "here! Free internet!" kind of right but it can't be a "You want internet, go kill these dissidents for me to prove your loyalty first."

 

[AstylahAthrys]

Times really have changed. When I started using the internet not many people had it, and now it's a basic human right? How odd.

 

[TheRobotandtheBeast]

I think its great that a freedom to access information is seen as a basic human right.

The more people with access, the better.

It would be nice to see a world in which no one is being told but are instead encouraged to ask and hopefully free access to the largest database will do that.

 

[Laxman9292]

Fuck the modern take on "human rights" pisses me off.

Thank you. A basic human right used to be nothing. If you wanted life you didn't have a right to it, you had to be stronger or smarter than the next ************ who's trying to take it from you. If you wanted food; you hunted it yourself. Shelter? Built it yourself. Pursuit of happiness? Break free from the bonds of slavery. Humans have no rights, nothing is just given to us, we need to work for it. The term "human rights" has gotten looser and looser as the human race had become bigger and bigger pussies.

In this specific case, people like the internet... a lot. And they think that because they like it so much and it does so much for them that it is their right to have... Who provides the bandwidth and service? If you think it's a basic human right and you deserve it for free then stop paying your ISP and try to make one for yourself. Fuck you if you think you can just steal service from the ISPs cause you want internet. They would go bankrupt if they did that, and then what? no internet for anyone!

 

[Nyaliva]

I suppose in this day and age I can understand the idea that internet access should be given to as many people as possible but I hate the term "basic human right" because a lot of the time it's used by people who just want something for nothing, claiming they deserve it when they've done nothing to earn it. I know it's the UN in this case but I'd consider them enablers in this case. This will certainly cause a few problems in the future, between people, internet providers and governments.

What the hell is China going to do?

 

[Laxman9292]

It is a basic human right, the amount of knowledge, know-how and just general awareness the Internet has provided me has no doubt made my life significantly easier compared to someone without access.

I know where you're coming from man; having access to my copious amount of money has no doubt made my life significantly easier compared to all those filthy plebs and their lack of riches... wait, money isn't a human right either?

BTW it's the UN: the worlds most useless organization (including PETA). When has anything they've decided had any bearing on anything. Most countries only listen to them to make them feel better about themselves, but when the chips are down have fun trying to sanction a country with your armies UN...

 

[Lilani]

Fuck the modern take on "human rights" pisses me off.

Thank you. A basic human right used to be nothing. If you wanted life you didn't have a right to it, you had to be stronger or smarter than the next ************ who's trying to take it from you. If you wanted food; you hunted it yourself. Shelter? Built it yourself. Pursuit of happiness? Break free from the bonds of slavery. Humans have no rights, nothing is just given to us, we need to work for it. The term "human rights" has gotten looser and looser as the human race had become bigger and bigger pussies.

In this specific case, people like the internet... a lot. And they think that because they like it so much and it does so much for them that it is their right to have... Who provides the bandwidth and service? If you think it's a basic human right and you deserve it for free then stop paying your ISP and try to make one for yourself. Fuck you if you think you can just steal service from the ISPs cause you want internet. They would go bankrupt if they did that, and then what? no internet for anyone!

The internet is a need to a lot of people, though. Think about businesses--if the Internet could only be accessed by a select few, it would sent huge chunks of our economy into the toilet.

The UN isn't saying that every human being should be given Internet access on a silver platter, like free healthcare or something. All they're saying is governments should not take action to hinder access to Internet, or to overtly censor it.

 

[Bon_Clay]

I think its great that a freedom to access information is seen as a basic human right.

The more people with access, the better.

It would be nice to see a world in which no one is being told but are instead encouraged to ask and hopefully free access to the largest database will do that.

I agree, the internet is probably the biggest technological achievement since the printing press in terms of its ability to fight ignorance world wide. TV tried but its mostly bullshit biased news and distractions.

Sure saying its a basic human right along with food and water is a bit much, but it should be a pretty basic right for anyone in a developed country. If the place is well off enough to have the internet, the government should not be trying to control it. No government owns it, and any means we use to express ourselves and communicate with each other should not be censored.

 

[GraveeKing]

Haven't we always in our history taken away basic human rights to control those who don't act within normal limitations? People like lulzsec or whatever they're called should be stopped probably but then again that makes it corruptible... I dunno.

 

[Braedan]

Fuck the modern take on "human rights" pisses me off.

Thank you. A basic human right used to be nothing. If you wanted life you didn't have a right to it, you had to be stronger or smarter than the next ************ who's trying to take it from you. If you wanted food; you hunted it yourself. Shelter? Built it yourself. Pursuit of happiness? Break free from the bonds of slavery. Humans have no rights, nothing is just given to us, we need to work for it. The term "human rights" has gotten looser and looser as the human race had become bigger and bigger pussies.

In this specific case, people like the internet... a lot. And they think that because they like it so much and it does so much for them that it is their right to have... Who provides the bandwidth and service? If you think it's a basic human right and you deserve it for free then stop paying your ISP and try to make one for yourself. Fuck you if you think you can just steal service from the ISPs cause you want internet. They would go bankrupt if they did that, and then what? no internet for anyone!

i think you're misunderstanding "human right" with "human free stuff". no one is getting free internet.....


OT: and for this point forward, the world will continue to not give a shit what the UN says