Select Committee on International Development Appendices to the Minutes of Evidence


APPENDIX 11

Memorandum submitted by ARTICLE 19

  Further to our conversation earlier, there follows information about the effect which the US government's 30 April trade embargo may possibly have on the Internet in Yugoslavia. Obviously ARTICLE 19 would deplore any reduction in access to information for people in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia—the Internet is one of the few remaining means for people to get information from outside the country.

  I would be grateful if you could somehow include this document (see Annex) in the collation of submissions to the International Development Committee on "The Future of Sanctions".

ARTICLE 19

14 May 1999

ANNEX

Internet Links to Yugoslavia Under Fire

  Help B92 expresses deep concern at reports that the US government 30 April trade embargo—Executive Order 13121—on Yugoslavia may endanger the country's vital Internet links to the outside world.

  As a first possible casualty of this US government embargo, ANEM understands that the US satellite carrier Loral Orion may be ordered to drop a satellite uplink arrangement that supplies bandwidth to two of Yugoslavia's major Internet service providers—infosky.net and BEOnet.yu.

  Help B92 warns that the loss of this link would deal a fatal blow to freedom of expression in Yugoslavia, as Internet communications are one of the only remaining routes to independent information and debate for Yugoslav citizens.

  Help B92 is further concerned that the all-encompassing wording of the embargo—which appears to ban US companies and citizens from exporting software and supplying services and technology (including technical data) to Yugoslavia, Serbia and Montenegro—could have further negative repercussions for freedom of expression in Yugoslavia.

  At this time of extreme isolation, Yugoslav citizens rely on the Internet to access news and information sources from around the world, free from censorship. The Internet is also the only forum for unfettered communication with friends, family, other organisations, colleagues, and representatives of a broad cross section of institutions across the globe.

  Help B92 has consistently argued that vibrant and open communication, without frontiers, is crucial to ending the current conflict in Kosovo and Yugoslavia and building a long and lasting peace for all people in the region.

  Help B92 therefore calls on those committed to freedom of information and freedom of expression to uphold the right to communicate freely on the Internet and to protest this threat to Internet access for all the people of Yugoslavia.

  Help B92 is a support group for independent broadcast media in Yugoslavia. Visit our support web sites:

    —  http://helpb92.xs4all.nl

    —  http://www.freeb92.net

    —  Contact information:

    —  helpb92@xs4all.nl

13 May 1999


 
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