Brussels, 03/09/2012 (Agence Europe) - On 30 August MEP Marietje Schaake (ALDE, Netherlands) asked the European Commission to take action following the arrest of several administrators from groups adverse to President Lukashenko on the internet. “This is a clear violation of freedom of expression and assembly online. It shows that authoritarian regimes are very much aware of the potential and peaceful political rallying via social media and fear the intangible power of online opposition movements”, she said, asking for the immediate release of the people arrested. “The EU should prevent EU companies from assisting the Belarusian authorities in cracking down on dissent online. This incident requires us to take action and to give it our greatest attention”, Schaake added.
In a written question, Schaake asks the Commission if it is capable and willing to impose an ad hoc authorisation requirement on the exportation of public LAN database monitoring systems, internet and 2G/3G services. The Dutch MEP also asks how the Commission is going to pressure the Belarusian authorities to respect digital freedom and how it is going to oblige these authorities to release the detained web administrators.
Four administrators from pro-opposition groups on social networks have been arrested. The groups from the Russian social network VKontake.ru “We are tired of Lukashenko”, which has 37,000 members, and “only WHTD” (which can be translated “Only wanting him to die”) with 15,000 members, have been hacked by the KGB.
Legislative elections are planned in Belarus for 23 September and the EU will review its sanctions on the country before 31 October. (CG/transl.fl)