The Principles set out by the Global Network Initiative are founded on internationally recognized laws and standards for human rights. The following are the core international norms on which the Initiative’s documents are based.

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Other Resources

OECD Guidelines on Multinational Enterprises, updated 25 May 2011

Frank La Rue Special Report on the right to freedom of opinion and expression (pdf) 16 May 2011

Protect, Respect, and Remedy: a Framework for Business and Human Rights (pdf) 7 April 2008

Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights: Implementing the United Nations Protect, Respect, and Remedy Framework (pdf) 21 March 2011

Joint Declaration on Freedom of Expression and the Internet issued by the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression, the Organization for Security and Co-operation (OSCE) Representative on Freedom of the Media, and the Organization of American States (OAS) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR) Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information.

UNESCO, “Freedom of connection, freedom of expression: the changing legal and regulatory ecology shaping the Internet” 1 June 2011