About Us
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Handheld Human Rights
Handheld Human Rights uses mobile phones to connect human rights workers around Burma's borders. Using mobile text messages connected with a detailed computer interface, HHR helps aid workers quickly and securely share critical information in order to coordinate responses and save lives.
HHR allows groups to:
- Disseminate key information and messages to field workers.
- Facilitate communication between groups.
- Collect data that can be mapped on an international website.
- Rapidly disseminate news of human rights violations to the international community and advocacy groups.
Refugees International estimates that three million refugees live around Burma's borders. Escaping ethnic violence, forced labor and political incarceration that exists inside the country, native Burmese peoples are forced to flee their homes and communities. Many community organizations operate from Burma's border areas to report abuses and educate the community on how to recognize these human rights violations, collect pertinent data and protect themselves. These organizations face numerous obstacles to their work including logistical challenges, technical limitations and lack of coordination. Specifically, they lack the tools to communicate effectively and securely with other similar groups who are separated by international borders
Access to mobile phones and the Internet is dramatically increasing around world. How can these tools be harnessed for positive social change?
Digital Democracy is a non-profit organization using digital technologies to empower civic engagement. We work with local partners to develop tools that help community organizations promote human rights and build local capacity. Emphasizing the need for new media literacy, we prepare youth and communities with the tools they need to be informed and engaged citizens in the 21st century.
Digital Democracy's programming promotes communication, education and participation. This project was developed in partnership with the All Burma IT Student Union and supported by the UC Berkeley Human Rights Center the French American Charitable Trust, our partners and supporters.
Important Notice: Digital Democracy cautions users of this system that the inclusion of a report does not guarantee its validity, nor does the lack of a report indicate that an incident has not occurred. Reports represent a sub-section of experiences as reported by individuals and human rights-based organizations but do not present a complete picture of all events in Burma/Myanmar. We are seeking to include as much valid data as possible, while preserving the integrity and safety of individuals involved.
