Dobriansky: Conference on Global Internet Freedom

Conference on Global Internet Freedom

Dr. Paula J. Dobriansky, Under Secretary for Democracy and Global Affairs
Remarks at the U.S. Department of State Conference on Global Internet Freedom held by the Global Internet Freedom Task Force
Washington, DC
January 30, 2007

Welcome to the State Department and to this conference on Internet freedom held by the Global Internet Freedom Task Force. This is our first event organized under the auspices of the Task Force, which I have the honor of co-chairing together with Under Secretary for Economic, Energy, and Agricultural Affairs Josette Sheeran.

Secretary Rice established the Task Force in February 2006 to address the challenges to freedom of expression and the free flow of information on the Internet by repressive regimes, which threaten the Internet's ability to empower individuals and societies. Freedom of expression is a universal right, provided for by both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

The Task Force will continue to focus its energy on defending Internet freedom by advocating the availability of the widest possible universe of content through the Internet. It aims to promote access to and dissemination of information over the Internet; to increase the transparency of content restrictions; and to minimize the success of repressive regimes in censoring information.

Many of you were able to join us this past December 20th when we announced our Global Internet Freedom Strategy and its three-pronged approach. That approach comprises the following elements: first, increase our monitoring of challenges to Internet freedom in countries around the World; second, respond more vigorously to challenges to Internet freedom through diplomatic channels, both bilaterally and multilaterally; and third, advance Internet freedom using diplomatic and commercial policy tools.

As I noted at the official roll-out, President Bush, embracing America's promise and opportunity, has set out a Freedom Agenda in which we seek to advance human rights for all people. Secretary Rice has led the way in advancing that agenda through transformational diplomacy, in which we aim to use America's diplomatic strength to pursue positive change for men and women across the globe. Promoting Internet freedom is a crucial element of those efforts.

I am pleased that so many of you are able to join us at this conference, as we continue our cooperative efforts to highlight the issue of Internet freedom and work to safeguard freedom of expression and ideas through ensuring the free flow of information on the Internet.

This conference is vitally important. It brings together corporations and non-governmental organizations to develop specific, practical ways to promote Internet freedom. I anticipate that the conference will generate significant proposals.

In closing, I would like to thank you all for coming today. I wish the Task Force every success. We look forward to your recommendations and to continued collaboration on this critical issue.

Released on February 22, 2007

ENDS

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