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With
broad and unjust cybercrime laws being enacted around the world, we
need to stop them as they pop up. Click here to help stop cyber martial
law in the Philippines. |
Tens of millions of internet users in the Philippines woke up Wednesday to a new reality: Sharing a link, clicking 'Like' on Facebook, or retweeting a message could land you 12 years in jail.¹
The Cybercrime Prevention Act, which just came into effect, is so
broad and loophole-ridden that a wide range of online activity could be
considered libelous. Even if you don't write the material, just sharing it with someone online could land you in prison.
With elections just around the corner, we've been told that many politicians are downright scared of a national and international backlash,
giving us the opportunity to convince them to junk this law for good.
And we know there's nothing like an election to get politicians to
listen.
Click the link below to call on lawmakers to stand up for freedom of expression, and
repeal the CyberCrime Prevention Act. We'll deliver your signatures to
Filipino lawmakers next week so they know where the world stands:
In the face of this unjust law, which also allows for real-time monitoring of internet users, Filipinos have been protesting in the streets and online to stand up for their rights.
An alliance of organizations, bloggers, media, and everyday citizens
have come together and brought international attention to their cause,
and have brought the issue to a tipping point.²
With the Supreme Court slated to take up the constitutionality of the law on Tuesday, silent, non-violent protests will be held on Oct. 9 -- called Black Tuesday. With broad and unjust cybercrime laws being enacted around the world, we need to fight them one by one. That's why it's critical that the international community stands together on Black Tuesday. Start by clicking the link below:
While we respect the impartiality of the court, this gives us the
perfect moment to rally to protect free of expression. Indeed, many
Filipinos online have begun sending around memes to show they are not
afraid to stand up against unjust laws that attempt to silence free
speech.³
This defiant and democratic spirit has been seen before.
Over 25 years ago, Filipinos fought and won to overcome martial law and
institute a democratic government. But what makes this law's passage
curious is that President Aquino is the son of Corazon Aquino, former
president and leader of the opposition party that restored democracy in
the Philippines in 1986. So many Filipinos are left wondering why the son of the leader who fought for their rights is allowing free speech to be taken away.
With all this coming to a head, we aren't just taking a stance
against a law, but are standing up for democratic values bravely won not
too long ago. Let's remind the president just what so many Filipinos
fought for. Sign the petition by clicking the link below, and
join the millions of Filipinos who are fighting for their right to
freely speak their mind.
In the words of Dakila, our ally in the Philippines, "We say, never again to martial law -- cyber or not."
For an open internet,
The Access Team
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