Report on Potential Human Rights Uses of Network Analysis and Mapping

Skye Bender-deMoll, consultant for SHRP, has recently completed his report investigating how potential new tools and existing applications of network analysis and network mapping can assist or facilitate human rights work. "This report provides a brief overview of some network concepts, quick introductions to a number of relevant fields of research, and some specific examples of how people are currently using network tools for academic and applied work. In addition, some of the risks and challenges of network research are discussed, along with criteria for evaluating potential future projects." View the full report.

International Summit for Community Wireless Networks - May 28-30, 2008

The AAAS Science and Human Rights Program, New America Foundation, CUWiN Foundation, and the Acorn Active Media Foundation are sponsoring the 2008 International Summit for Community Wireless Networks to be held at AAAS Headquarters, Washington, DC, on May 28-30, 2008. Co-sponsored by AAAS, the New America Foundation, the CUWiN Foundation, and the Acorn Active Media Foundation, this year's Summit will focus on the advancement of human rights and digital inclusion, the policies that are needed to support broader deployment of community wireless systems, and the latest technological and software innovations. Among questions to be explored at the Summit are: How can wireless networks improve human rights work? How can the human rights framework help to protect the right to communicate? And why/how can we build partnerships between the wireless and human rights communities? Registration for the Summit is now open. To learn more about our Wireless Communication Technologies for Human Rights Project please visit our website.

From the UN

Independent Expert on Human Right to Water and Sanitation

On March 28, the UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution establishing an Independent Expert on human rights obligations related to access to safe drinking water and sanitation. According to the resolution, the Independent Expert is required to "undertake a study on the further clarification of the content of human rights obligations in relation to access to safe drinking water and sanitation and to submit a report to the Council at its tenth session [to be held March 2009]." The resolution also confirms that governments have obligations to ensure access to safe drinking water and sanitation under international human rights law.  Learn more about the resolution here.

New Funding for the SHR Coalition

SHRP is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a two-year grant from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation (MGF) to support the SHR Coalition. This grant follows previous funding from MGF which supported the convening of a preliminary meeting of scientific associations and human rights organizations that was held in July 2005. The new grant will be used to complete foundational work, convene the public launch of the Coalition in January 2009, and support some of the Coalition's early programs and activities.

Next Planning Meeting
- June 9, 2008

Working toward a public launch in January 2009, the Coalition will hold its fifth planning meeting on Monday, June 9 at 8:45am-12:00pm at AAAS headquarters in downtown Washington, DC. Meeting participants will consider a recommendation for membership eligibility and requirements. Participants will also review specific recommendations for two of the five Areas of Activity previously identified for the Coalition. These Areas are: Service to the Community of Scientific Associations; and Information Materials. View the agenda and RSVP here.

Introducing our Areas of Activity:
Welfare of Scientists

"Welfare of Scientists" is one of the Coalition's five areas of planned activity. The focus of this activity is the protection and defense of the human rights of scientists under threat. The specific projects will include creating a central repository of cases on the Coalition website, identifying and disseminating best practices in how member organizations have addressed individual cases, and combining and coordinating efforts on behalf of scientists at risk. Further details about the rationale, objectives and content of this area of activity are available here. If you wish to find out more about this area of activity and how your association can participate, please contact the committee chairs, Michele Irwin (American Physical Society) and Sinead O'Gorman (Scholars at Risk Network).

Introducing our Members:
American Political Science Association

The American Political Science Association (APSA), founded in 1903, is the leading professional organization for the study of political science and serves more than 15,000 members in over 80 countries. "As part of the APSA Guide to Professional Ethics in Political Science, the APSA Committee on Professional Ethics, Rights, and Freedoms becomes involved in cases involving the human rights of scholars in other countries brought to its attention by reputable sources. It will respond to cases of human rights violations involving scholars whose fields correspond to those subsumed under the phrase 'political science' in the United States. It will also take up cases that do not directly involve political scientists but have broad implications for all social scientists. The standard used in determining which case to pursue is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the two accompanying covenants." Read more.