Calls on the Government of Turkey to allow free expression and Internet freedom.

Bill: 113-hres-532
Sponsor: full_name: Rep. Eshoo, Anna G. [D-CA-18]
Introduced: 2014-04-01
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Europe

Human rights

Internet and video services

Internet, web applications, social media

News media and reporting

Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Turkey
Latest action: action_date: 2014-06-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats.

Summaries:
action_date: 2014-04-01
action_desc: Introduced in House
text: <p>Calls on the government of Turkey to lift restrictions on freedoms of the press, expression, and the Internet, including social media.</p> <p>Recognizes the role of technology and social media in helping independent journalists and the general public to communicate, access information, and support accountability.</p> <p>Reaffirms the importance of Internet freedom to promote democracy and good governance around the world.</p>

tv_txt: IV 113th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 532 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES April 1, 2014 Ms. Eshoo (for herself, Mr. Marino , Mr. Kennedy , and Mr. Keating ) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs RESOLUTION Calls on the Government of Turkey to allow free expression and Internet freedom.

Whereas an independent, unfettered media and freedom of expression, including the Internet and social media, are essential elements of democratic, transparent, and open societies; Whereas millions of people in Turkey, including senior members of the Government of Turkey, use the Internet and social media to communicate on a daily basis; Whereas the Government of Turkey imposed a countrywide ban on access to Twitter on March 20, 2014, and to YouTube on March 27, 2014, blocking the use of the communications platforms; Whereas respected nongovernmental organizations have condemned the decision to block Twitter and YouTube as an attack on Internet freedom and freedom of expression in Turkey; Whereas Twitter has been blocked in Turkey, China, Iran, North Korea, and Syria and YouTube has been blocked in Turkey, China, Iran, and Pakistan; Whereas the Turkish Bar Association argued that the ban on Twitter is unconstitutional and in violation of Turkish and European human rights laws; and Whereas on March 26, 2014, the Turkish district court in Ankara blocked implementation of the ban due to the restriction on freedom of expression and communication that are protected by the Turkish Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1) calls on the Government of Turkey to lift restrictions on freedom of the press, freedom of expression, and Internet freedom, including social media, in Turkey; (2) recognizes the critical role that technology and social media play in helping independent journalists and the general public to communicate, access information, and support accountability; and (3) reaffirms the importance of Internet freedom to promote democracy and good governance around the world.