[IRP] Urgent - Statement on Egyptian Internet restrictions

Tue Feb 1 16:58:17 EET 2011

Lisa,

Try to get in touch with Mohammed Omran (m.omran at afteegypt.org ) an Egyptian 
activist at Association for Freedom of Thought and Expression. He is 
connected to the Internet now ( I am not sure how) but I am sure he is in 
Egypt. He will be able to help disseminate the statement at a large scale.

Let me know if you need more names.

Hanane

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Lee W McKnight" <lmcknigh at syr.edu>
To: "Khaled Fattal" <khaledfattal at hotmail.com>; "Ginger Paque" 
<gpaque at gmail.com>; "parminder" <parminder at itforchange.net>
Cc: <irp at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 3:05 PM
Subject: Re: [IRP] Urgent - Statement on Egyptian Internet restrictions

If I may make one more tactical suggestion - in terms of the 'contact' 
listed on the statement.

Lisa is appropriate; but it would be great if there was someone reachable if 
only by satphone, in Egypt, that could stick his or her neck out and be 
wiling to be co-listed as the contact.

(Khaled, any suggestions? You're close to what I'm thinking but as US-based 
not exactly. That person would be very attractive for media interviews 
etc...maybe isn't time but would be perfect way to play this for maximum 
coverage.)

Lee
________________________________________
From: irp-bounces at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org 
[irp-bounces at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org] On Behalf Of Khaled 
Fattal [khaledfattal at hotmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 8:03 AM
To: Ginger Paque; parminder
Cc: irp at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org
Subject: Re: [IRP] Urgent - Statement on Egyptian Internet restrictions

Ginger, Lisa, and all,

Once the statement is finalized and ready to be publicized, let me know if 
you would like me to publicize   it thru my many channels, especially in the 
local Arab and Egyptian communities.

I had already issued statement a few days ago, we were one of the first to 
respond to the Internet getting blocked in Egypt... 
http://www.ankabooot.com/articles/2/31/egypt-s-internet-blocked-i-call-on-my-friend-tarek-kamel-to-unblock-it-and-join-his-people

khaled Fattal

From: Ginger Paque<mailto:gpaque at gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, February 01, 2011 12:48 PM
To: parminder<mailto:parminder at itforchange.net>
Cc: 
irp at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org<mailto:irp at lists.internetrightsandprinciples.org>
Subject: Re: [IRP] Urgent - Statement on Egyptian Internet restrictions

I agree with Parminder, we should issue the statement. Thanks!!!

Ginger (Virginia) Paque
IGCBP Online Coordinator
DiploFoundation
www.diplomacy.edu/ig<http://www.diplomacy.edu/ig>

The latest from Diplo...
Call for applications for Diplo Internet governance foundation courses now 
open.
See: http://www.diplomacy.edu/ig/news.asp

On 2/1/2011 8:15 AM, parminder wrote:
Yes, Lisa, we shd issue this statement. Parminder

Lisa Horner wrote:
Hi all

I?d like to suggest that the IRP coalition issues a statement on the 
Internet cuts and media disruptions in Egypt, in solidarity with the 
protestors there.  Seeing how we?ve discussed in depth Internet access and 
accessibility as a fundamental component of the Charter and of human rights 
online, I really feel that we should condemn what?s going on in Egypt. 
Dixie and I have drafted a statement below.  Please could you respond ASAP 
(by 15.00 GMT) to say whether you?re happy for this to go out.  We can then 
all send far and wide.

Thanks and all the best,
Lisa

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Internet Rights and Principles Dynamic Coalition urges the Egyptian 
government to end its violation of the Egyptian people?s rights to freedom 
of expression and peaceful assembly by lifting restrictions on access to the 
Internet and other Information and Communication Technologies.

The Egyptian government has cut off all Internet access in the country. 
Mobile phone networks have also been severely disrupted.  Restrictions have 
also been placed on Egyptian and international media, including the blocking 
of Al Jazeera?s broadcast signal and seizure of its equipment.

These actions are direct and serious violations of the rights of the 
Egyptian people to freedom of expression and assembly. The right to freedom 
of expression is enshrined in international law in Article 19 of the 
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), which Egypt 
has ratified.  The right includes freedom to seek, receive and impart 
information through any media, regardless of frontiers.   In modern society, 
the Internet is fundamental for the fulfilment of the right to freedom of 
expression.  It is also an essential tool for peaceful assembly, whether 
online or offline, as protected by Article 21 of the ICCPR.

These restrictions on communications access are a disproportionate and 
unnecessary response to legitimate political protest.  The UN Human Rights 
Council Resolution 12/16 states that it is never permissible for any 
government to restrict peaceful demonstrations and political activities, 
including those for democracy.  It also states that placing restrictions on 
access to, or use of, information and communication technologies is never 
permissible.  This includes access to radio, television and the Internet.

The explosion of information and communication technologies across the world 
has brought with it unprecedented opportunities for the fulfilment of human 
rights, social and economic development and democracy. These opportunities 
must not be lost through misguided efforts to control online communication.

The Dynamic Coalition calls on the Egyptian government to restore the right 
to freedom of expression and assembly in Egypt through removing all 
restrictions on communication.  All professional and citizen journalists in 
Egypt must be free to report on unfolding events through any media platform, 
to national and international audiences.  All people must have full access 
to the Internet, to mobile phones and SMS, and to national and international 
media.

About the Internet Rights and Principles Dynamic Coalition

The IRP DC is an international network of people who are working to uphold 
human rights on and through the Internet.  The coalition is currently 
undertaking a major project to draft a Charter of Human Rights and 
Principles for the Internet.  This applies international human rights 
standards to the Internet environment.  It outlines what human rights people 
have when operating online, and what elements of Internet architecture need 
to be protected in order to realise human rights to the fullest extent 
possible.

___________________________________________________________
Lisa Horner
Head of Research & Policy  Global Partners and Associates
338 City Road, London, EC1V 2PY, UK
Office: + 44 207 239 8251     Mobile: +44 7867 795859
LisaH at global-partners.co.uk<mailto:lisah at global-partners.co.uk> 
www.global-partners.co.uk<http://www.global-partners.co.uk/>

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--
PK

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