Hon. Christopher H. Smith, Chairman
Hon. Benjamin L. Cardin, Co-Chairman
For Immediate Release

www.csce.gov
July 7, 2011

HELSINKI COMMISSION TO HOLD HEARING ON INTERNET FREEDOM

WASHINGTON–The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (U.S. Helsinki Commission) announced today a hearing on Internet Freedom in the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) region:

“The Promises We Keep Online: Internet Freedom in the OSCE Region”

Friday, July 15, 2011

10:00 a.m.

210 Cannon House Office Building

The hearing will examine the current trends in Internet governance in the OSCE region, with a particular focus on Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan and Central Asia. The hearing is precipitated by recent arrests of bloggers, blocking of websites, online intimidation and surveillance of peaceful political activists, aggressive denial of service attacks, and other acts by OSCE Participating states that deter citizens from using the Internet as a forum for receiving and sharing information. Specifically, the hearing will address whether or not these countries are meeting international standards and OSCE commitments on freedom of expression and information in the online environment.

Witnesses Scheduled to Appear:

Dr. Daniel Baer, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor, Department of State

Ms. Dunja Mijatovic, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media

The Honorable David J. Kramer, President, Freedom House

Mr. Rafal Rohozinski, Senior Scholar, Canada Center for Global Security Studies and the Citizen Lab (University of Toronto)

Mr. Ivan Sigal, Executive Director, Global Voices

Media Contact: Shelly Han
202.225.1901

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