HUMAN RIGHTS FIRST RIGHTS WIRE 2FEB10

This month the question of Internet freedom exploded onto the public scene this month with Google's announcement that it would no longer cooperate with China's censorship policies. A few days later, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a speech promising to make the protection of freedom of expression online a diplomatic priority.

As a key player in the Global Network Initiative, Human Rights First has long been working with companies to press them to leverage their influence with both developed and emerging economies to counter governments' repressive tactics and human rights violations. But companies won't succeed without help. As I told USA Today, "New technology demands new thinking about how companies and governments can each work to protect freedom. Both have a part to play." Read more about our work in support of Internet freedom and check out my recent Huffington Post piece explaining why Secretary Clinton's remarks were a step in the right direction.

Human Rights First has also joined the technological age and this year is offering an online version of our annual report.

http://humanrightsfirst.org/annual-report/index.html

An LA Times editorial features HRF Award winner and ally Gabriel Gonzalez, who currently faces another 7 years in prison on trumped-up charges aimed at ending his human rights work. (if you haven't taken action on his behalf - see how you can help)

Read two great pieces warning against abandoning our principles due to fear of criminals like the would-be airline bomber:

•HRF's Gabor Rona, in an op-ed in USA Today, makes the case for trying terrorist suspects in our regular, civilian justice system.

•Retired four-star generals Krulak and Hoar, close allies in our campaign to end torture and close Guantánamo, warn against fear tactics in an op-ed in the Philadelphia Inquirer.