Initiative group of campaign “For Free Internet!” has addressed to international community
22 april 2009
Initiative group of campaign “For Free Internet!” has applied for international community the day before VIII Eurasian Media Forum. It was connected with critical situation around rights and freedoms of citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan, guaranteed by Constitution of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
This appeal was provided for Centre of OSCE in Astana; embassies and representative offices of countries-members of OSCE and European Union; international journalistic organizations and publicity. There is text of appeal:
Today, members of Majilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan consider draft law “On amendments into some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan of information and communication networks”. Norms of this draft law endanger rights of citizens for freedom of speech and freedom of expression for getting and distribution of information. They contradict main principles in documents of UN and OSCE. Republic of the Kazakhstan has given its consent.
The state power of the Republic of Kazakhstan proposes to equate all forums, chats, blogs and personal pages to mass media. So, any Kazakhstan’s Internet-user can be instituted to responsibility just as journalist or founder of mass media in accordance with law “On Mass Media”, Administrative, Civil and Criminal Codes. This norm can be as barrier for freedom of expression of Kazakhstan’s people. It can not be in legislative norms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which has position of democratic state.
Public Prosecutor has right for stoppage of issue or distribution of mass media on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan before appeal to court, if there is obvious violation of acting legislation. We would like to point out that there is no any explanation of the word “obvious”. It will become result of illegal actions and pressure upon independent mass media of state power.
Foreign mass media will become blocked website. The judgment about blocking of websites of foreign mass media will be pronounced by court without presence of defendant. Actually, founders of foreign mass media will not know about that their website is blocked on the territory of our republic. They can not delete any information on their website, if it is illegal by opinion of state power. We think that attempt of restriction of access of Kazakhstan’s people to foreign mass media is illegal.
The draft law “On amendments into some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan of information and communication networks” makes broaden list of reasons for stoppage of the activity or distribution of materials of mass media. It prohibits to mass media organization of world meetings, actions and demonstrations. We think that mass media as fourth power must have implemented such call, because world demonstration are attempted to show its civil position. Freedom House relates Kazakhstan to “non-free” country. It is very important keeping of such right for mass media, as fourth power.
We are Internet-users of Kazakhstan think that adoption of amendments is an attempt of ”making legal” violations, which Kazakhstan’s people and home independent mass media face every day. There are numerous facts.
We are Internet-users of Kazakhstan apply for international organizations agree with Kazakhstan’s people and address to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to put a veto upon this draft law, if it will be adopted by Parliament.
Kazakhstan will become chairman of OSCE in 2010. It should be listened calls of international organizations and OSCE. The country-chairman of OSCE should be a standard of democratic values and tried to be ideal. Republic of Kazakhstan will be a level with China and Uzbekistan, if amendments are adopted by state power. If this draft law will be adopted, Kazakhstan should not be chairman of OSCE.
We ask for everyone, put your sign under this letter and give your support in emails on email blokirovke.net@gmail.com.
International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil soz” supports this appeal.
This appeal was provided for Centre of OSCE in Astana; embassies and representative offices of countries-members of OSCE and European Union; international journalistic organizations and publicity. There is text of appeal:
Today, members of Majilis of Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan consider draft law “On amendments into some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan of information and communication networks”. Norms of this draft law endanger rights of citizens for freedom of speech and freedom of expression for getting and distribution of information. They contradict main principles in documents of UN and OSCE. Republic of the Kazakhstan has given its consent.
The state power of the Republic of Kazakhstan proposes to equate all forums, chats, blogs and personal pages to mass media. So, any Kazakhstan’s Internet-user can be instituted to responsibility just as journalist or founder of mass media in accordance with law “On Mass Media”, Administrative, Civil and Criminal Codes. This norm can be as barrier for freedom of expression of Kazakhstan’s people. It can not be in legislative norms of the Republic of Kazakhstan, which has position of democratic state.
Public Prosecutor has right for stoppage of issue or distribution of mass media on the territory of the Republic of Kazakhstan before appeal to court, if there is obvious violation of acting legislation. We would like to point out that there is no any explanation of the word “obvious”. It will become result of illegal actions and pressure upon independent mass media of state power.
Foreign mass media will become blocked website. The judgment about blocking of websites of foreign mass media will be pronounced by court without presence of defendant. Actually, founders of foreign mass media will not know about that their website is blocked on the territory of our republic. They can not delete any information on their website, if it is illegal by opinion of state power. We think that attempt of restriction of access of Kazakhstan’s people to foreign mass media is illegal.
The draft law “On amendments into some legislative acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan of information and communication networks” makes broaden list of reasons for stoppage of the activity or distribution of materials of mass media. It prohibits to mass media organization of world meetings, actions and demonstrations. We think that mass media as fourth power must have implemented such call, because world demonstration are attempted to show its civil position. Freedom House relates Kazakhstan to “non-free” country. It is very important keeping of such right for mass media, as fourth power.
We are Internet-users of Kazakhstan think that adoption of amendments is an attempt of ”making legal” violations, which Kazakhstan’s people and home independent mass media face every day. There are numerous facts.
We are Internet-users of Kazakhstan apply for international organizations agree with Kazakhstan’s people and address to President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev to put a veto upon this draft law, if it will be adopted by Parliament.
Kazakhstan will become chairman of OSCE in 2010. It should be listened calls of international organizations and OSCE. The country-chairman of OSCE should be a standard of democratic values and tried to be ideal. Republic of Kazakhstan will be a level with China and Uzbekistan, if amendments are adopted by state power. If this draft law will be adopted, Kazakhstan should not be chairman of OSCE.
We ask for everyone, put your sign under this letter and give your support in emails on email blokirovke.net@gmail.com.
International Foundation for Protection of Freedom of Speech “Adil soz” supports this appeal.
