[WSIS CS-Plenary] ACTION ALERT: Urgent Action In Support of Indymedia

[karen banks]

Dear all,

IMC statement below.. please distribute widely..

** is anyone able to offer translation? IMC don't have the capacity - if 
so, please write me at karenb at gn.apc.org **

karen
-----

ACTION ALERT: Urgent Action In Support of Indymedia

"An unacceptable attack on press freedom, free speech and privacy."

On 7 October 2004 two Indymedia Web Servers were seized from the US-owned 
web hosting company Rackspace operating in London (UK), at the request of 
the US Justice Department, which apparently acted at the prompting of 
Italian and Swiss authorities.

Indymedia is an global alternative media network that provides challenging 
and independent reporting, particularly of political and social justice 
issues, with a newswire where any member of the public can publish their 
own reports and articles.

The seizure of the servers in London shut down around 20 different 
Indymedia websites including Ambazonia, Uruguay, Andorra, Poland, Western 
Massachusetts, Nice, Nantes, Lilles, Marseille, Euskal Herria (Basque 
Country), Liege, East and West Vlaanderen, Antwerpen (all Belgium), 
Belgrade, Portugal, Prague, Galiza, Italy, Brazil, UK, and parts of Germany 
Indymedia. Many are still offline, those few that have returned have 
suffered data loss.

The particular legal framework under which the seizures took place is 
unknown. Five Days after the seizures there is still an almost total 
information blackout from the authorities in the UK, US, Switzeland and 
Italy. Indymedia still has no confirmation of who ordered the seizures, who 
took the servers in London, why the seizures took place, where the servers 
are now located, and whether they will be returned.

We are concerned over the growing use of international co-operation 
frameworks by Governments and Law enforcement agencies which can be used to 
obscure clear legal process, and call for openness and clarity in 
international co-operation, to ensure due process and that civil liberties 
are protected.

Statements of support for Indymedia and condemnation of the shutting down 
of over 20 Media outlets have been recieved from The Electronic Frontier 
Foundation, The International Federation of Journalists, the National Union 
of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders, World Association of Community 
Radio Broadcasters and many other organisations.

Indymedia UK condemns the seizure of the servers as an unacceptable and 
unprecedented attack on press freedom, free speech and privacy and asks for 
urgent solidarity action in demanding:


RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Please write to the British Home Secretary and the US Attorney General:

1. Expressing grave concern at the action taken against Indymedia.

2. Demanding the immediate return of the servers to Indymedia with all data 
intact.

3. Requesting a full investigation into the circumstances and legality of 
the action taken to seize the Indymedia servers and to close Indymedia 
websites, with the disclosure of the names of the organisations and 
individuals involved in the seizure.


APPEALS TO:

Rt Hon David Blunkett MP
Home Secretary
The Home Office
London - UK
Email: public.enquiries at homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk

John Ashcroft
Attorney General
US Department of Justice
Washington - USA
Email: askdoj at usdoj.gov

Please send copies of letters to: imc-uk-contact at lists.indymedia.org

Organisations and individuals are also encouraged to issue their own 
statements in support of Indymedia and against the seizure of the servers. 
Please send copies to: imc-uk-contact at lists.indymedia.org

Additionaly organisations and indivduals can add their statements of 
support here:
http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/10/298931.html

For background on the Server Seizures see:
http://indymedia.org/en/static/fbi
http://www.indymedia.org
http://www.indymedia.org.uk