[governance] Draft Statement [ URGENT Call for Comments before 1800 UTC+12 ] #IGR #SOPA #PIPA

[Katitza Rodriguez]

Hi Salanieta,

If you think it ok, it would be great if you can point out to 
http://blacklists.eff.org/ Many sites will be pointing to it. It has its 
own server so we can receive as much traffic as wikipedia. :)


On 1/17/12 1:13 PM, Salanieta T. Tamanikaiwaimaro wrote:
>
> *Dear All,*
>
> *
> *
>
> *We note that there is a consensus to protest against the SOPA, PIPA 
> and India's Intermediary Guideline Rules. I have also gleaned from 
> concerns on freedom of expression in other countries that have been 
> subject to List discussions in the past year etc. This is a first 
> Draft in text as well as attached for those who may wish to add their 
> tracked changes, edits and comments before 2200 UTC +12 18th January, 
> 2012.*
>
> *
> *
>
> *
> *
>
> *Draft Statement by the Civil Society Internet Governance Caucus on 
> Censorship (SOPA/PIPA/IGR)*
>
> We have made a decision to join the black out in protest of the 
> arbitrary censorship of the internet which violates people’s rights to 
> responsibly use the internet. We note with increasing concern the the 
> various censorship mechanisms around the world including but not 
> limited to India’s Intermediary Guideline Rules (IGR) nor the United 
> States of America’s Stop Online Piracy Act  (SOPA)and Protect IP Act 
> (PIPA).
>
>
> Any country’s censorship mechanisms affect ordinary internet users all 
> over the world.
>
> We note that Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and 
> Political Rights (ICCPR) and urge governments who have ratified the 
> ICCPR to abide by their commitments.  Whilst freedom of expression has 
> limitations, these limitations are on the verge of being extended to 
> accommodate assault on freedom of expression and the openness of the 
> internet.
>
>
> Whilst the exception has been provided for it does not mean that it 
> can be abused. For jurisdictions which have legitimate governments 
> where people can truly have their say in the laws that their 
> legislators dish out or choose their representatives to Parliament or 
> Congress, it is critical that even more so, civil society is seen to 
> make a stand.
>
> We have observed with great concern threats to freedom of expression 
> on countries such as Republique Democratique du Congo, China and Syria.
>
>
> We have watched with joy as Burma continues to relax its censorship of 
> online content. Countries can mature in aspects of freedom of 
> expression and it takes awareness, outreach and dialogue.
>
> For a country like the USA to pass SOPA or PIPA as law at the expense 
> of freedom of expression is a realisation that the assault on freedom 
> of expression does not know borders. We stand with civil society 
> organisations in the United States of America and abroad who are 
> collectively raising their voice against the SOPA and PIPA.
>
>
> We urge all stakeholders of internet governance to encourage dialogue 
> to help governments, members of the private sector and civil society 
> to engage in dialogue to discuss how we can preserve the openness of 
> the internet.
>
> *ENDS*
>
>
> -- 
> Salanieta Tamanikaiwaimaro aka Sala
>
> Tweeter: @SalanietaT
> Skype:Salanieta.Tamanikaiwaimaro
> Cell: +679 998 2851
>
>


-- 
Katitza Rodriguez
International Rights Director
Electronic Frontier Foundation
katitza at eff.org
katitza at datos-personales.org (personal email)

Please support EFF - Working to protect your digital rights and freedom of speech since 1990

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