Declaration of Internet Rights by 15 Chinese intellectuals

[Rebecca MacKinnon]

http://rconversation.blogs.com/rconversation/2009/10/happy-internet-human-rights-day.html

*Internet Human Rights Declaration
Issued by 15 Chinese Intellectuals*

Those of us who are standing on the riverbank overlooking the torrent of
history have witnessed the potential of this new technology: the Internet.
We understand how this new technological revolution has brought about
progress and social change. It has great potential to advance basic human
rights and freedom for the Chinese people. Its contribution to civilisation
will be on a par with the discovery of iron and fire, or the invention of
plough and wheel in ancient times.

We acknowledge the arrival of netizen activism and regard it as an
irreversible trend. Citizen reporting, which involves the use of mobile
phones and digital cameras for live information dissemination, has already
become a popular trend. The Internet has also provided netizens with
unlimited space for creativity, and for voicing opinions through weblogs,
podcasts, BBS and online comments.

We believe it is a citizen’s responsibility to be concerned about public
affairs, and a netizen’s responsibility to care about freedom of speech on
the Internet. Netizens are exercising their civil rights when they legally
express their opinions or when they report the truth of what has actually
happened. The best way to rejuvenate an ancient civilisation is to inject it
with new core values based on the advancement of happiness and of basic
human rights for individuals. It is also the best way to improve well-being
for everyone in China. For these reasons, freedom of speech on the Internet
should be encouraged, nurtured and tolerated.

We therefore pledge for the following principles to be endorsed:

1. Freedom of speech on the Internet is a part of citizens’ rights to
freedom of speech. It is the most basic human rights and the most
fundamental value that should be pursued, treasured and protected.

2. Netizens who express their opinions on the Internet using words, sounds,
pictures or videos, should be protected and encouraged, as long as such
conduct is in accord with the constitution and local statutes.

3. The right to publish opinion is the most basic rights for netizens. This
includes the right to publish through weblogs and podcasts, as well as
online discussion forums. Netizens’ rights to publish should not be
subjected to unlawful investigation and interference. They should be allowed
freedom to hold and to express their views without feeling intimidated.

4. Netizens’ editorial rights should be respected. When they are exercising
those rights, they should not be subjected to harassment by authorities who
act outside of law.

5. It is the right of Netizens to conduct interviews and to report their
findings. This right is protected as a part of their constitutional rights
to freedom of speech. Netizens who excercise this right should endeavour to
report the truth, and to avoid distortions, fabrications and malicious
slander.

6. It is the right of netizens to make comments and to exchange opinion.
This includes the right to ask questions, to monitor, to criticise and to
boycott.

7. Netizens’ freedom of speech encompasses a right to express themselves
anonymously. Anonymity enables some authors to express their opinions in
ways that best suit their needs. This legal right should be respected as
long as an anonymous author is expressing his views in accordance with legal
and constitutional requirements.

8. The right to search for information on the Internet is an integral part
of netizens’ rights to expression, to be informed, and to act as watchdogs.
It is our opinion that law-abiding websites should not be filtered, and that
netizens’ rights to conduct searches on public information for personal use
should be respected and protected.

9. Online privacy should be respected and protected. Netizens’ real
identities and personal information should not be disclosed unless the
information is required for a transparent legal proceeding, or else if the
disclosure is necessary under the rule of law.

10. The free flow of information should be respected and protected as long
as it is conducted in line with legal and constitutional requirements.
Website monitoring, filtering and blockades that go against the principle of
freedom of speech should be condemned by public opinion. Netizens are
entitled to seek freedom of expression and justice through judicial
proceedings.

We call for the establishing of an Internet Human Rights Day, to remind
everyone of the need to safeguard freedom of speech on the Internet. This is
the only effective way to make sure all people in China enjoy human rights
and happiness.

10 October 1911 was the day when a group of patriots staged an uprising to
end the rule of a cruel and racist dynasty. They also put an end to a long
imperialist history. As a way of commemorating their bravery and their
spirit of freedom, we suggest to make every October 10th China’s Internet
Human Rights Day.

-- 
Rebecca MacKinnon
Open Society Fellow | Co-founder, GlobalVoicesOnline.org
Assistant Professor, Journalism & Media Studies Centre, University of Hong
Kong

UK: +44-7759-863406
USA: +1-617-939-3493
HK: +852-6334-8843
Mainland China: +86-13710820364

E-mail: rebecca.mackinnon at gmail.com
Blog: http://RConversation.blogs.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/rmack
Friendfeed: http://friendfeed.com/rebeccamack
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