New Case: Protecting Human Rights Defenders in Peru
On January 14, 2025, the Oversight Board announced a new case focusing on the protection of human rights defenders. The case stems from a public appeal regarding a controversial post on Facebook targeting a leader of a human rights organization in Peru. The board is inviting people and organizations to lend their voices and experiences via public comments.
Context of the Case
The chosen case revolves around a Facebook post from July 2024. This post featured a digitally altered photo of a human rights defender’s headshot, depicting alterations that made it look as though their face was covered in blood. Accompanied by a caption, it insinuated financial misconduct by NGOs amidst the backdrop of escalating protests in Peru’s capital.
The Report and Response
Soon after its posting, the image was reported to Meta for breaching community standards. Upon review, Meta human reviewers deemed the content compliant, leading to an unsuccessful appeal from the reporting user. The case heightened as the reporter claimed the post symbolized a “thinly-veiled death threat” in a climate of increasing violence against human rights representatives.
Meta’s Further Investigation
Following the appeal, Meta’s Trusted Partner program also reviewed the content, resulting in the associated user account being disabled for unrelated reasons. Despite this, the original controversial post was not thoroughly re-evaluated. The Board’s examination aims to review Meta’s existing policies on this matter, particularly regarding threats that are not overtly explicit.
Request for Public Insights
The Board seeks public comments that delve into the sociopolitical risks for human rights defenders in Peru. Input on recent legislative changes impacting freedom of expression, and the implications of online narratives fostering hostility towards NGOs, is also welcome.
Open Call for Contributions
The public comment window allows anonymous submissions for 14 days, until January 28, at 11:59 PM PST. Contributions that could assist the Board’s upcoming deliberations are encouraged, allowing diverse perspectives to inform the outcome. Upon reaching a decision, the Board will publish its findings on the Decisions page.
The Oversight Board has opened a case regarding a hostile post targeting a human rights defender in Peru. The content was reported and subsequently deemed compliant by Meta, leading to an appeal to the Board. Public comments are invited to explore risks faced by human rights defenders and the implications of online harassment.
The case highlights urgent concerns about the online safety of human rights defenders in Peru. The Board’s examination will focus on Meta’s capacity to recognize and manage veiled threats in a politically charged atmosphere, emphasizing the need for policies that better protect civil society. Diverse public insights will be crucial as the Board deliberates on this sensitive issue.
Original Source: www.oversightboard.com
