[Chapter-delegates] UPDATE: Statement: The Internet Society on Egypt’s Internet shutdown

[Anya Chambers]

Dear all

In response to the many questions we received relating to the Egypt shutdown over the weekend - we put together a Q&A. You can find it here: http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=3100

We'd value any additional information you have that you think would be a useful addition. Please note that it is designed for a non technical audience.

Many thanks for your input in advance.

Regards

Anya


On Jan 28, 2011, at 2:38 PM, Anya Chambers wrote:


Dear all

Please find below a statement from the Internet Society in response to the recent events in Egypt:
"We are following the current events in Egypt with concern as it appears that all incoming and outgoing Internet traffic has been disrupted. The Internet Society believes that the Internet is a global medium that fundamentally supports opportunity, empowerment, knowledge, growth, and freedom and that these values should never be taken away from individuals.

The Internet Society considers this recent action by the Egyptian government to block Internet traffic to be an inappropriate response to a political crisis. It is a very serious decision for a government to block all Internet access in its country, and a serious intrusion into its citizens’ basic rights to communicate.  If the blockage continues, it will have a very detrimental impact on Egypt's economy and society. Ultimately, the Egyptian people and nation are the ones that will suffer, while the rest of the world will be worse off with the loss of Egyptian voices on the net.

However we are most concerned about the safety and security of the Egyptian people.  Alongside the rest of the world, we share the hope for a positive and lasting solution to the problems that have risen to the surface there.

In the longer term, we are sure that the world will learn a lesson from this very unfortunate example, and come to understand that cutting off a nation's access to the Internet only serves to fuel dissent and does not address the underlying causes of dissatisfaction."

It is also available on our wesbite here; http://isoc.org/wp/newsletter/?p=3091

Regards

Anya

Anya Chambers
Internet Society

mobile: +1 224 321 0378
web: www.InternetSociety.org
twitter: InternetSociety

What will the Internet look like in 10 years? 
Watch the trailer; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OInTXcZ4HZM

For more information: www.internetsociety.org/scenarios




Anya Chambers
Internet Society

mobile: +1 224 321 0378
web: www.InternetSociety.org
twitter: InternetSociety

What will the Internet look like in 10 years? 
Watch the trailer; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OInTXcZ4HZM

For more information: www.internetsociety.org/scenarios




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