Human rights community speaks out on PROTECT IP Act (2012)

“As human rights and press freedom advocates, we write to express our deep concern about S. 968, the PROTECT IP Act (PIPA), and the threat it poses to international human rights. Like H.R. 3261, the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), PIPA requires the use of internet censorship tools, undermines the global nature of the internet, and threatens free speech online. PIPA introduces a deeply concerning degree of legal uncertainty into the internet economy, particularly for users and businesses internationally. The United States has long been a global leader in support of freedom of speech online, and we urge the Senate not to tarnish that reputation by passing PIPA.” (from the letter)

Released on 16 January 2012

Related:
SOPA letter (PDF, 15 November 2011)
SOPA blackout gallery (Netzpolitik.org)
Strike Against Censorship (EFF.org)
Following websites will (or did) blackout (ActivePolitic.com), backup

HTML (updated on 2017-11-24)

The Machinery of Stability Preservation (2011) [Chinese/English]

“There is widespread agreement in China, from high officials to ordinary people, about the importance of maintaining social stability. There is rather less consensus, though, about how best to ensure and promote stability. Considering the costs, both fiscal and human, of continued pursuit of the policy of “stability above all else,” some have begun to question whether, perhaps, the effort might actually be counterproductive.

In a recent article (translated below) posted on the website of Caijing magazine, two reporters who have been covering China’s social stability problem offer an excellent introduction to the organizational structure behind China’s stability management effort. Their detailed portrait of this structure as it exists at both the central and local levels leads into a trenchant analysis of China’s paradoxical pursuit of stability and a look at how that structure actually undermines that effort. Their conclusion—that the only escape from this paradox is to accelerate the pace of political and judicial reform—is a clear articulation of an aspiration that is gathering momentum in China but that will still have to overcome much resistance if it is to be realized.”

by Caijing magazine reporters Xu Kai & Li Weiao, 6 June 2011
Translated by Dui Hua Human Rights Journal, 8 June 2011

View online [Chinese]
View online [English]

related:
Stability Preservation in China (English extracts from three pieces written by Leung Man Tao, a recognized media professional and public intellectual from Hong Kong, Du Guang, a veteran Central Party School scholar, and Sun Liping, a sociology professor at Tsinghua University; 2010)
Riot erupts in southwest China town: reports (Reuters; 12 Aug 2011)

OSCE: Freedom of Expression on the Internet (2011)

In 2010, the Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media of the OSCE commissioned a report to assess Internet regulation among its Member States. Considering the global nature of the Internet, as well as the lack of harmonisation at international level, many States have adopted regulation measures in order to implement national legislation also on Internet related matters.

The OSCE examined, in particular, existing laws and practices related to freedom of expression, the free flow of information and media pluralism on the Internet, which are fields potentially menaced by national Internet legislation. Indeed, member states have made commitments in regard of media freedom principles with which they should act in accordance.

OSCE’s study is based on a questionnaire given to participating members, which deals with four main subjects: a) internet access, b) internet content regulation, c) blocking, filtering and content removal and, d) licensing and liability & Internet hotlines. Because of the significant cultural diversity between Member States, national Internet legislation differs from one state to another. According to what is considered harmful in one state, for example, different content regulation has been adopted. In addition, participating states have various provisions as far as Internet access is concerned. For instance, lately many states have authorised blocking access to websites deemed illegal conforming to national legislation. Such practices are incompatible with OSCE commitments, as well as with other universal or European conventions signed by Member States and concerning media freedom, freedom of expression and free flow of information.

After having examined all the elements provided by participating states, the report made a series of recommendations which aim to ensure that the Internet remains an open and public forum for freedom of opinion and expression. Some of the aforementioned recommendations are the respect of net neutrality, refrain from mandatory blocking of content or websites, recognition of Internet access as a human right, all taking into consideration the borderless nature of Internet.

Freedom of Expression on the Internet: Study of legal provisions and practices related to freedom of expression, the free flow of information and media pluralism on the Internet in OSCE participating States
Publisher: Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE): The Office of the Representative on Freedom of the Media, July 2011
233 pages

publisher

PDF