Geneva - ImpACT International for Human Rights Policies is organizing a seminar on the sidelines of the 42nd Session of the Human Rights Council on Monday, 23 September.

The seminar will address the Impact of the Geographic Location of Social Media Platforms on their Human Rights Policies, and discuss the extent to which activists, opponents, and journalists are usually affected when leading social media platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter, have their headquarters or regional offices in certain countries.

The seminar will be chaired by Richard Billety of the International Institute for Rights and Development - Geneva (IRDG), and other speakers, including Khalil Agha, ImpACT International Digital Media Adviser, Selin Yasar, Spokesperson for the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, and Muhammed Al-Moghabat, Senior Researcher at Humena for Human Rights and Civic Engagement, will present papers.

Earlier this week, ImpACT International conducted an analysis in which it cited mounting incidents of cooperation between digital powerhouses—which host so much of the global conversations—and repressive governments.

The analysis conducted by the London-based think tank documents that when Facebook and Twitter locate offices in countries with governments known for human rights violations—notably Israel, the UAE and Saudi Arabia—the companies become complicit soon after in efforts to silence dissenters and political opponents.

Full Analysis ► Here