Brussels, 07/11/2012 (Agence Europe) - “In this very country, we see many arbitrary restrictions on the media. We see the exercise of free speech effectively criminalised. We see violent attacks on journalists. And we see activists spied on online, violating the privacy of journalists and their sources. I condemn this. The restrictions must end. And attacks must be investigated and punished. Promptly, thoroughly, transparently”. The Commissioner for the digital strategy and vice-president of the European Commission, Neelie Kroes, pulled no punches in her speech at the Internet Governance Forum on 7 November, directly addressing the Azeri leaders, with the debates focusing on a free management of the internet without government pressure (see EUROPE 10723). Speaking on behalf of the European Union, the Commissioner took a strong stance in favour of a free and open internet and called on the authorities of the conference's host country to cease harassment of political activists. She described the internet as a new tool to exercise freedom of thought, the free media as a symbol of the freedom of expression and bloggers, activists and human rights defenders in general as an instrument of democracy. Kroes went on to stress that the European Union, a defender of human rights and the freedom of expression in particular, would continue to promote new information and communication technologies as additional instruments to preserve the fundamental freedoms. Reminding Azerbaijan that it is a member of the Council of Europe and that it must respect the principles of this institution, the Commissioner reminded the government of its duties and called upon it to cease exercising control over the web. (IL/transl.fl)