[APCPress] APC statement: A stand for WikiLeaks is a stand for freedom of information online

[Karen Higgs]

APC says, A stand for WikiLeaks is a stand for freedom of information online

JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA TUESDAY DECEMBER 7 – The Association for 
Progressive Communications (APC) is deeply concerned about recent 
attempts by governments to limit access to online content recently 
published by whistleblower website WikiLeaks.

APC is also troubled by actions taken by private companies such as 
EveryDNS.net which disabled the domain name system services for 
WikiLeaks.org, Amazon which repealed web hosting services and Paypal 
which restricted access to WikiLeaks' account to prevent supporters from 
donating money.

APC believes that the ability to share information and communicate 
freely using the internet is vital to the realisation of human rights 
and to efforts to use the internet to contribute more accountable and 
transparent governance at global and national levels. A site like 
WikiLeaks can also play a vital role in aiding the fight against 
corruption in governments and corporations.

The APC Internet Rights Charter clearly states that:

*The internet must be protected from all attempts to silence critical 
voices and to censor social and political content or debate.

*Organisations, communities and individuals should be free to use the 
internet to organise and engage in protest.

*All information, including scientific and social research, that is 
produced with the support of public funds should be freely available to all.

As the world's longest-running online progressive network founded in 
1990, APC has been troubled by trends over the last decade that show 
that such rights are increasingly violated and believes that the recent 
attempts to censor WikiLeaks provide additional reasons for concern.

The US government has been unable to provide evidence that lives have 
been put at risk by WikiLeaks disclosures.

APC appeals to all governments and the internet community to explicitly 
reject any form of online content control that limits freedom of 
expression and information, particularly information that contributes to 
more transparent governance, and that empowers citizens to hold their 
governments accountable. We urge them to assure the uninterrupted online 
presence of the WikiLeaks website.

A stand for WikiLeaks is a stand for freedom of information on the internet.

END