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Deutsch: OSZE: Netzzugang als Menschenrecht

According to a report issued by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) on 8 July 2011, the Internet should remain free and access to the Internet should be considered a human right.

The report, based on data received from OSCE participating states and on the responses to a questionnaire sent in September 2010, presents the conclusions of the first comprehensive research on Internet content regulation in the OSCE region, having covered the legal provisions and practices related to freedom of expression, the free flow of information and media pluralism on the Internet.

The report shows concern related to the general trend in Europe towards a regulated, controlled and censored Internet and the level of blocking practices encountered in the OSCE region. "Restrictions to freedom of expression must comply with international norms. No compliance could lead to censorship," said Yaman Akdeniz, the author of the report.

The study shows that filtering and blocking measures are in most cases incompatible with freedom of expression and the free flow of information. "Legislation in many countries does not recognize that freedom of expression and freedom of the media equally apply to Internet as a modern means of exercising these rights and in some of our states, 'extremism', terrorist propaganda, harmful content and hate speech are vaguely defined and may be widely interpreted to ban speech types that Internet users may not deem illegal," said Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE's chief media freedom observer, who presented the report.

According to the study, 20 countries, mostly from Eastern Europe and Central Asia, prohibit so-called extreme speech on the internet with the purpose to prevent criticism of the government, where several countries allow for complete suspension of Internet services at times of war, in a state of emergency and in response to other security threats.

The report also warns against the measures already adopted by France and planned in the UK, to deny Internet access for users who have allegedly violated copyright rules.

In the OSCE's view, access to the Internet should be considered a fundamental human right and respected as much as freedom of expression. "Everyone should have a right to participate in the information society and states have a responsibility to ensure citizens' access to the Internet is guaranteed," says the report.

Mijatovic acknowledged that some governments recognise the Internet as a human right and encouraged others to support this sentiment:"We will use the study as an advocacy tool to promote speech-friendly Internet regulation in the OSCE participating States," Mijatovic said.

OSCE Press Release - Internet blocking practices a concern, access is a human right, says OSCE media freedom representative at launch of OSCE-wide study (8.07.2011)
http://www.osce.org/fom/80735

OSCE Report - 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 (8.07.2011)
http://www.osce.org/fom/80723

OSCE warns of Europe-wide trend to restrict internet content(8.07.2011)
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/tech/news/article_1650095.php/OSCE-w...

Internet access a fundamental human right: OSCE (9.07.2011)
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hPpLN3fP1YscRUuO6Qh...