[Africa-ir-public] [APCNews] ACTION ALERT: Urgent Action In Support of Indymedia

[Karen Higgs]

Dear readers

Several of you have enquired how you can support Indymedia in their 
struggle to recover their information and their right to communicate.

We attach this communication from them.

Best wishes from all at APC

-----

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

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