TODAY, by a huge majority, the European parliament voted to reject ACTA

staff image

Agnes Callamard

04 Jul 2012

0 comments
478 votes Against
39 For
165 Abstentions
 
This is the first time in its history that the European Parliament votes to reject an international treaty already approved by the European Commission and by 22 of its 27 members.
 
This is a massive victory for Civil Society in Europe and beyond, including ARTICLE 19.
 
Back in December, when the European Commission adopted the international treaty, who would have thought it was possible to defeat it?
 
We did.
 
http://www.article19.org/resources.php?tagid=468
 
This ARTICLE 19 web page re-traces the history of our involvement and more generally of civil society engagement since late last year. There are also several statements explaining what is wrong with ACTA from a freedom of expression standpoint.
 
ARTICLE 19 was amongst the first “mainstream NGOs” that joined internet freedom organisation in fighting against ACTA. 
 
Following a meeting with IP experts from around the world, ARTICLE 19 initiated on 15 December the first of its many statements analysing ACTA from the standpoint of international standards of freedom of expression and demonstrating how the treaty violated international human rights law.  http://www.article19.org/data/files/medialibrary/2901/11-12-14-acta-V2.pdf
 
A number of other human rights NGOs followed suit, adding their voice to the anti-ACTA campaign.
 
Internet freedom organisations continued the fight, getting more and more organised around key campaigning objectives: raising awaress, getting people involved in fighting against what everyone thought was far too technical for the common citizen.
 
A number of on-line petitions were launched, targeting European parliament members. The mainstream media finally got alerted that something was going on and they further amplified the campaign. The implications of ACTA for human rights and the secrecy that had accompanied its negotiation were denounced around the world.  
 
New EU member states got outraged.
 
The European Parliament got involved, more engaged. Some governments announced they will not sign it, specific committees at the EU rejected it, it was sent off for review by the European court of justice, etc. etc. And throughout this time, we continued campaigning, advocating and lobbying – each adding its voice and best tactics to the overall mission
 
AND TODAY, by a huge majority, the European parliament voted to reject ACTA.
 
This is a major victory for democracy and civil society and activism:   against Governments secrecy, against the huge economic power of the large entertainment industries, against the bypassing of international decision-making. This is, in fact, a victory for global democracy.
 
LET US NEVER DOUBT THE POWER OF CIVIL SOCIETY ENGAGEMENT AND CAMPAIGNING…

0 comments

Login or register to add your voice.