Amnesty calls for tech companies to act over Chinese repression

By Steve Malone

Posted on 28 Jan 2004 at 10:44

Amnesty International has called on technology companies including Microsoft, Cisco, Nortel and Sun Microsystems to prevent their products being used for repression in China.

In a report published today Amnesty says that there has been a dramatic rise in the past year in the number of people who have been arrested and imprisoned for expressing opinions online or for downloading information from the Internet in China. This includes some 54 imprisoned for Internet related activities and an unknown number of people spreading information about the SARS outbreak.

In response, Amnesty wishes people to put pressure on western companies who sell Internet related software and equipment to the Chinese authorities and make them aware that their products are being misused.

'We urge all companies which have provided technology which might support this kind of surveillance and harassment to use their influence with the Chinese authorities,' said Kate Allen, Amnesty International's UK Director. They should ask the Chinese government to permit freedom of expression and to release all those detained for Internet-related offences in violation of their fundamental human rights.'

Internet access has boomed in China over the past year. According to official statistics there are now some 79.5 million users in China, up 34.5 percent over twelve months. In an attempt to keep a lid on the spread information over the Internet, the authorities have assigned the responsibility of monitoring usage to Internet cafes and ISPs.