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PAMNESTY INTERNATIONAL
PRESS RELEASE
AI Index: ASA 17/002/2006 (Public)
News Service No: 022
25 January 2006
China: Internet companies assist
censorship
(London/ Davos): Google's launch of a self-censoring
Chinese search engine is the latest in a string of
examples of global Internet companies caving in to
pressure from the Chinese government. The service
curtails the rights of Chinese Internet users to the
freedom of expression and freedom of information
enjoyed in other countries.
Speaking from the World Economic Forum in Davos,
Amnesty International's Secretary General Irene Khan
said:
"While acknowledging that Google has taken a number of
steps to ensure access of Chinese users to the
Internet, Amnesty International is nonetheless
dismayed at the growing global trend in the IT
industry.”
"Whether succumbing to demands from Chinese officials
or anticipating government concerns, companies that
impose restrictions that infringe on human rights are
being extremely short-sighted. The agreements the
industry enters into with the Chinese government,
whether tacit or written, go against the IT industry’s
claim that it promotes the right to freedom of
information of all people, at all times, everywhere.”
Last year, Microsoft launched a portal in China that
blocks use of words such as 'freedom' in blog text.
The company recently closed down the blog of Zhao Jing,
who used the blog name Michael An Ti, after he
supported a strike against the politically-motivated
sacking of an editor at the Beijing News.
Yahoo has admitted revealing email account details of
the journalist Shi Tao to the Chinese authorities, who
was peacefully exercising his right to impart
information, a move that contributed to his
prosecution and sentencing to 10 years in prison.
"Agreements between global corporations and the
Chinese authorities has entrenched Internet censorship
as the norm in China," said Irene Khan. "Internet
companies justify their actions on the basis of
Chinese regulations. In fact, such agreements and the
resulting self-censorship, violate both international
standards and China's own constitution, which protects
freedom of expression."
International law guarantees the right to freedom of
information and the free flow of ideas across borders.
While some restrictions on these have been developed
over the years, the manner in which IT companies are
freely submitting to opaque Chinese policies, is
unacceptable.
"The Internet heralded unfettered access to
information in a borderless world. Instead, companies
are helping governments build borders to prevent their
citizens from accessing information," said Irene Khan.
Public Document
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For more information please call Amnesty
International's press office in London, UK, on +44 20
7413 5566
Amnesty International, 1 Easton St., London WC1X 0DW.
web: http://www.amnesty.org
For latest human rights news view http://news.amnesty.org
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