1. Underscoring our commitment to respect the human rights and fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and reaffirming that everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression, including the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers, as well as the right to freedom of assembly and association, the right to the protection of the law against arbitrary interference with his or her privacy, and the freedom of religion or belief, amongst others.
2. Recalling our commitment to the principle that the human rights that people have offline enjoy the same protection online.
3. Noting that the Internet has always been fueled by policies that promote the free flow of information and that protect human rights and foster innovation, creativity, and economic growth.
4. Noting with concern that in many countries these human rights and fundamental freedoms are increasingly subject to restrictions, whereby the flow of information on the Internet and through connection technologies is limited beyond the few exceptional circumstances in which restrictions are acceptable in accordance with international human rights legal obligations.
5. Noting that governments are increasingly making use of a variety of measures to limit these freedoms in a manner contrary to their obligations, such as illicit monitoring, filtering and hacking, on- and offline repression of network technology users, including intimidation and arrests, and even completely shutting down the Internet and mobile networks.
6. Recognizing the need for States to protect the exercise of human rights and fundamental freedoms on the Internet and through connection technologies, and to support individuals, organizations and institutions who use new technologies to promote human rights, democracy and development.
7. Considering the key importance of engagement by all relevant stakeholders, including governments, businesses, civil society, academics and other experts, in protecting and promoting human rights and fundamental freedoms online, and underlining our commitment to work closely together in a multi-stakeholder process to further Internet freedom globally.
8. Considering the responsibility of businesses to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms on the Internet and through connection technologies, and the ways in which those technologies, products, and services can be used to impact these rights and freedoms.