Take Action Online | Amnesty International USA

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Defend online freedom of expression in China

Amnesty International is concerned that Chinese Internet service providing companies, including Baidu, Sina and Sohu, are complying with Chinese government requests and demands to censor content online and otherwise repress the rights to freedom of expression and privacy. Call on these companies to ensure the Internet fulfills its potential to empower and educate and to create global communities.

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Charles Chao - Chief Executive Officer

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Robin Li - Chief Executive Officer

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Charles Zhang - Chief Executive Officer

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Subject:*

Dear (recipient name),

As a member of Amnesty International, I am writing to express my deep concern over the blatant violation of the rights of Internet users in the People’s Republic of China to information, privacy and freedom of expression.  Access to and the use of the Internet is highly restricted and at least 50 people are imprisoned for peacefully exercising their right to freedom of opinion and expression in China.  According to Amnesty International, numerous websites were closed down.

The Internet is a global space where people from all over the world can come together to freely exchange information and share ideas.  It has the potential to empower and educate and to create global communities.  The effective protection and enjoyment of other human rights depends upon the enjoyment of the right to freedom of expression.

All Internet service providers must ensure that the rights of Internet users to information, privacy and freedom of expression are protected and upheld.  Internet service providers must increase transparency and disclose all policies to users that would result in blocking access to information or providing governments with user information.  Government demands for limitations of freedom of expression or privacy must be met by Internet service providers with a request for the legal basis for such an action.  Finally, when government-sanctioned restrictions are inconsistent with international human rights standards, Internet service providers have a social responsibility to challenge those restrictions in domestic courts.

The Internet must be maintained as a positive force for the free exchange of information and ideas, not as a tool to curtail basic and inherent human rights.  Internet service providers worldwide can no longer ignore their responsibility to protect and advance rights to freedom of expression and privacy.  I trust you will assume your undeniable responsibility as an Internet service provider to ensure that the rights of Internet users are protected and upheld no matter the demands of a government acting to undermine international human rights standards.

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