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ANKARA: US Representatives Introduce Resolution Against Turkey'S Ban

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  • ANKARA: US Representatives Introduce Resolution Against Turkey'S Ban

    US REPRESENTATIVES INTRODUCE RESOLUTION AGAINST TURKEYÂ~@~YS BAN ON TWITTER AND YOUTUBE

    Hurriyet Daily News, Turkey
    April 2 2014

    Tolga TANIÅ~^WASHINGTON / Hurriyet

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    The U.S. Congress resolutions condemning Turkey have been increasing
    recently with Turkey's ban on social websites Twitter and YouTube.

    Four members of the U.S. House of the Representatives on April 1
    prepared a resolution calling on Turkey to remove the bans on the
    social media, following a condemnation from two U.S. Senators last
    month over blocking the social media sites and a complaint letter
    sent to President Barrack Obama.

    Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee Anna
    Eshoo, and three key members of the Foreign Affairs Committee, Reps.

    Tom Marino (R-Penn.), Joe Kennedy III (D-Mass.) and Bill Keating
    (D-Mass.), introduced a resolution on April 1 calling on the Turkish
    government to remove its block on Twitter and YouTube.

    "Freedom of expression and freedom of the press are foundational
    pillars to any functioning democracy," Eshoo said. "Social media,
    such as Twitter and YouTube, has enhanced these pillars serving as
    transformational instruments for social policy change to billions of
    people who use them on a daily basis. By introducing this resolution,
    we stand united against actions that restrict Internet freedom in
    Turkey and around the world."

    "In these modern times, open access to the Internet has become
    essential for individuals to engage in free expression," said Marino,
    who serves as Vice-Chairman of the Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and
    Emerging Threats. "For this reason, the U.S. Congress must encourage
    our partners in Turkey to restore access to social media outlets
    and the Internet as a whole in order to preserve this fundamental
    civil right. The resolution we are introducing today will send an
    important message that Turkey not only must restore access to Twitter
    and YouTube, but more broadly protect its citizens' rights to express
    themselves, assemble peacefully, and allow for a free and fair press
    to flourish."

    "In today's world, Twitter and other social media outlets are critical
    vehicles by which millions of ordinary citizens access the political
    process and engage with their elected officials. By restricting these
    basic freedoms, the Turkish government is threatening the foundation
    its democracy rests on," said Kennedy.

    "The Turkish government will need to do more to demonstrate the
    strength of its democratic institutions. Certainly, a good first step
    to restore the trust and faith of the Turkish population as well as the
    international business community will be to reverse the decision to ban
    social media within Turkey," said Keating, who serves as Ranking Member
    of the House Subcommittee on Europe, Eurasia, and Emerging Threats.

    The resolution followed another resolution introduced by U.S. Senators
    Chris Murphy and Ron Johnson condemning the Turkish government for
    blocking Twitter and YouTube and restricting freedom of expression
    on March 27.

    One day after the two Senators' resolution, 34 members of the U.S.

    House of Representatives have expressed their concerns over moves by
    the Turkish government restricting social media.

    Expressing concerns of the rule of law in Turkey, the letter, opened
    up for signature in the House by Republican Congressman Luke Messer
    of Indiana, asked the Obama administration to strongly demand Turkey
    to protect its' citizens democratic freedoms and rights.

    Apart from the ban on Twitter and YouTube, another reason for the
    increase of the resolutions against Turkey in the U.S. congress can
    be seen as upcoming April 24, the day when the Armenian Genocide is
    globally commemorated.

    April/02/2014

    http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-representatives-introduce-resolution-against-turkeys-ban-on-twitter-and-youtube.aspx?pageID=238&nID=64459&NewsCatID=358


    From: Baghdasarian
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