The January 4, 2012 edition of the New York Times has an editorial by Vinton Cerf entitled "Internet Access Is Not a Human Right." He presents a very lucid discussion in the context of the Internet role in events of the past year. His point is "technology is an enabler of rights, not a right itself", sort of obvious, but he articulates a good discussion of human rights and civil rights.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/opinion/internet-access-is-not-a-human...