What the fax machine was to the uprising at Tiannamen Square, the Net will be to the next wave of democratic movements around the world. For many the Net is about real-life politics, social struggle, revolution, and freedom. But as the Internet spreads into more and more countries around the globe, the stakes are raised for everyone trying to use it to make change. More governments are trying to censor or control online communication by monitoring email, limiting access, censoring messages, and banning privacy-protecting software. That's where Human Rights Watch comes in.
"Free expression in cyberspace is a human rights issue," says Robert Kimzey, publications director for Human Rights Watch. "But very few people are taking it on at the international level yet." Earlier this year, the organization joined the suit against the Communications Decency Act.
Human Rights Watch, one of the most respected non-governmental organizations dealing with human rights, conducts regular, systematic investigations of human rights abuses in 70 countries around the world. It documents murders, disappearances, torture, arbitrary imprisonment, discrimination, and other abuses, and is known for taking on governments of all political stripes to defend freedom of thought and speech. "Our goal is to hold governments accountable if they transgress the rights of their people," says Robert.
Now Robert is searching for a point person who will monitor attempts by governments to restrict the Internet, and who'll represent Human Rights Watch in new coalitions such as the Global Internet Liberty Campaign. "I'm looking for someone with human rights research experience, and an interest in online freedom of expression," he says. "I want someone with excellent writing skills, who can speak effectively on the issues, and who's able to travel for conferences and meetings."
Like most staff at Human Rights Watch (about 110 worldwide, with 60 in the New York City headquarters where this job is based), the researcher/advocate will be working constantly on a variety of tasks. Responsibilities include publicizing the organization's work on its Web site, gopher site, and six listservs; writing copy for and maintaining Internet sites; developing online advocacy and fund-raising strategies; and figuring out new ways to disseminate electronic information on human rights. The job involves working with field researchers from Leningrad to Lusaka, responding to crises in Somalia or Salvador, and connecting with activist coalitions around the world to stay on top of governments' attempts to clamp down on free expression online. "This is a chance to influence policy in a whole new area," promises Robert.
Send cover letter, résumé, references, and writing sample by 16 December to Robert Kimzey, HRW Search Committee (Online Researcher), 485 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10017-6104.
