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| (Photo: ifreedom2011) |
Dutch
Minister of Foreign Affairs Uri Rosenthal has called on the world to support
bloggers and cyber-dissidents. The appeal comes on the eve of the 2011 Online
Freedom conference, which will be opened by US Secretary of State Hilary
Clinton.
On the
Facebook page ifreedom2011, the minister wrote that internet access is an
integral part of freedom of expression. The ifreedom2011 page urges users to
sign an online petition calling for the release and protection of six bloggers
from Egypt, Syria, Vietnam, Thailand and Cuba:
Alaa Abd El Fattah (Egypt)
Maikel Nabil (Egytp)
Razan Ghazzawi (Syria )
Nguyen Tien Trung (Vietnam)
Chiranuch Premchaiporn (Thailand)
Yoani Sanchez (Cuba)
Concern
about the fate of these bloggers and others is being questioned by Dutch
embassies, within the EU and among those with bilateral contacts with the
countries involved. Minister Rosenthal also raised the issue during a recent
visit to Egypt.
Respect
According
to Mr Rosenthal, internet freedom is under pressure in a growing number of
countries. “Online espionage activities, blockades and propaganda, as well as
intimidation and persecution in ordinary life are a threat to internet
freedom.”
The 2011 Online Freedom Conference is the starting point for an international coalition
of countries, business and social organisations to fight for internet freedom.
However, that does not mean that anything goes. “Respect for human rights must
go hand in hand with respect for the interests of citizens, governments and
society.”
Duplicity
The
conference’s goal is not undisputed. Opponents point out that the involvement
of US Secretary of State Clinton exposes the duplicity of the initiative. In
the US, there are numerous measures in place that restrict internet freedoms.
For example, the activities of whistleblower website WikiLeaks are considered
“subversive.”
Still,
freedom of expression on the internet is gaining international attention. Last
week, European Parliament approved a fund of 125 million euros to promote
internet freedom outside the European Union. With this money, internet
journalists, bloggers and activists can be trained on how to deal with
censorship and online assaults.
Related Article:
The Internet - The first Worldwide Tool of Unification ("The End of History")
" ... Now I give you something that few think about: What do you think the Internet is all about, historically? Citizens of all the countries on Earth can talk to one another without electronic borders. The young people of those nations can all see each other, talk to each other, and express opinions. No matter what the country does to suppress it, they're doing it anyway. They are putting together a network of consciousness, of oneness, a multicultural consciousness. It's here to stay. It's part of the new energy. The young people know it and are leading the way.... "
" ... Now I give you something that few think about: What do you think the Internet is all about, historically? Citizens of all the countries on Earth can talk to one another without electronic borders. The young people of those nations can all see each other, talk to each other, and express opinions. No matter what the country does to suppress it, they're doing it anyway. They are putting together a network of consciousness, of oneness, a multicultural consciousness. It's here to stay. It's part of the new energy. The young people know it and are leading the way.... "
" ... I gave you a prophecy more than 10 years ago. I told you there would come a day when everyone could talk to everyone and, therefore, there could be no conspiracy. For conspiracy depends on separation and secrecy - something hiding in the dark that only a few know about. Seen the news lately? What is happening? Could it be that there is a new paradigm happening that seems to go against history?... " Read More …. "The End of History"- Nov 20, 2010 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll)
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