Commissioner Dufresne announces the winners of the first Privacy and Human Rights Awards

Privacy Commissioner Philippe Dufresne presenting the Global Privacy and Human Rights Award

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[Commissioner Dufresne appears on the screen against an office backdrop and speaks directly to the camera.]

As chair of the Global Privacy Assembly Working Group on Data Protection and Other Rights and Freedoms, I am delighted to present the first Global Privacy and Human Rights Award here at RightsCon, in collaboration with AccessNow.

An individual’s fundamental right to privacy is essential.

Privacy enables individuals to flourish and develop – personally, and as citizens able to exercise social and political freedoms, and participate in democratic processes.

That is the spirit of this award.

The new award gives us an opportunity to recognize and celebrate outstanding leadership from organizations around the world to advance and support the protection and promotion of the fundamental right to privacy and other human rights, including democratic rights and the freedom of political belief, of movement, association, and expression.

The volume and range of entries was truly inspiring.

This highlights important work that is taking place globally, often in complicated and unsafe geo-political contexts.

Thank you to all the nominees for your exemplary work helping to ensure that the fundamental right to privacy is protected for current and future generations.

It is now my pleasure to present the first Privacy and Human Rights Award.

The award is presented to two co-winners:

One organization is being recognized for its global efforts to promote the adoption of laws that guarantee digital privacy and data protection rights for children.

The other organization is being recognized for its litigation and advocacy work defending online freedom and the privacy of workers and students.

Congratulations to the 5Rights Foundation and the Internet Freedom Foundation!

[The Office of the Privacy Commission of Canada logo.]