Sunday, April 19, 2015

Pakistan - PPP Human Rights Cell’s statement on Cyber Crime Bill

https://ppppunjab.wordpress.com


The PPP Human Rights Cell Central Coordinator and Member National Assembly Dr Nafisa Shah has expressed concern on the passing of the Cyber Crimes Bill in the National Assembly Standing Committee without input and feedback of the stakeholders, the consumers, the software and IT industry in the country.
The concerns of the civil society on infringement of basicrights in r valid, govt must hold the Bill until they r addressed

“The strong reaction of the civil society, the social media and the IT industry who have termed this Bill a ‘draconian law’ indicates that the government has proposed a law that might further curb rights and freedoms and may give arbitrary and sweeping powers to the government to block internet content at whim, and to victimize and muzzle criticism in the social media” said the PPP HR Cell Coordinator.
“The Peoples Party and other political parties in the opposition have also not been involved in the consultation on implications of this law on the freedom of expression. The party fears that this law will provide space for censorship” she added.
“This government is particularly famous for its secrecy, its antidemocratic, anti consultative approach to both law and governance. It has unfortunately an abysmal track record in law making and most of the laws, from POPA, to 21st constitutional amendment, has only restricted fundamental rights.
“We urge therefore that this law is brought into the public sphere for a wider consultation where the controversial parts of this law are amended, and the law is thoroughly reviewed and revised before it is tabled on the floor of the National Assembly.”

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