Human Rights and Information Communication Technologies : Trends and Consequences of Use

Intergovernmental agencies, governments, and non-governmental organizations are now using Information and Communications Technologies (ICTs) to collect, organize, and disseminate information on peoples’ rights, the promotion of human rights, and the protection of individuals and communities at risk. Human Rights and Information Communication Technologies: Trends and Consequences of Use will provide a comprehensive examination of the use and application of information and communication technologies in the world of human rights. This will contribute significantly to understandings of the impact of ICTs on the promotion and protection of human rights in societies around the world. This book will provide a valuable tool and insight for academics from a range of fields, including information management, information systems, communications, information technology, international relations, human rights, politics, law, and sociology. It will also be useful to international non-governmental organizations, non-governmental organizations, and governments for policy and practice.

John Lannon holds an MA in Peace and Development Studies from the University of Limerick, Ireland, and has completed a PhD in Information Systems Usage in the Human Rights Movement at Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. He worked in software systems design, development, and project management for over a decade and a half, and now provides information management and ICT-related expertise to the non-profit sector. He is also a Lecturer and Researcher with the Centre for Information and Knowledge Management at the University of Limerick. John has been involved in human rights activism for over 20 years and is a founding member of Shannonwatch, an Irish-based organization of peace and human rights activists.

Edward F. Halpin (Professor) works for the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences at Leeds Metropolitan University. He is also associated with the Faculty of Arts, Environment and Technology, leading the Social Informatics theme in their research. For his PhD he studied "The use of ICT and Information for Human and Child Rights" and has a long record of working on human rights information and ICT, including work as an expert for the European Parliament Scientific and Technical Options Assessment Unit (STOA). Edward is currently the Chair of the Geneva-based international NGO Human Rights Information and Documentation Systems, International (HURIDOCS) who help human rights organisation use information technologies and documentation methods to maximise the impact of their advocacy work. Professor Halpin has published widely, particularly with John Lannon, and co-edited the book "Human Rights and the Internet" with Hick and Hoskins in 2000.