On 7 October, the FBI raided the Indymedia servers based in the UK, a dubious act of cooperation between international agencies. Protest! A sample letter all ready for you to sign and post.
Rt Hon David Blunkett MP
Home Secretary
The Home Office
London – UK
Email: public.enquiries@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk
Dear Mr Blunkett,
I am writing to express concern over the action taken against Indymedia. As I am sure you are aware, on 7 October 2004 two Indymedia Web Servers were seized from the US-owned web hosting company Rackspace operating in London (UK), at the request of the US Justice Department, which apparently acted at the prompting of Italian and Swiss authorities.
Indymedia is an global alternative media network that provides challenging and independent reporting, particularly of political and social justice issues, with a newswire where any member of the public can publish their own reports and articles.
The seizure of the servers in London shut down around 20 different Indymedia websites including in Ambazonia, Uruguay, Andorra, Poland, Western Massachusetts, Nice, Nantes, Lilles, Marseille, Euskal Herria (Basque Country), Liege, East and West Vlaanderen, Antwerpen (all Belgium), Belgrade, Portugal, Prague, Galiza, Italy, Brazil, UK, and
parts of Germany Indymedia. Many were still offline five days after the seizure.
The particular legal framework under which the seizures took place is unknown. Five days after the seizures there is still an almost total information blackout from the authorities in the UK, US, Switzerland and Italy. Although the servers have been returned, Indymedia still has no confirmation of who ordered the seizures, who took the servers in London and why the seizures took place.
I am concerned over the growing use of international co-operation frameworks by governments and law enforcement agencies which can be used to obscure clear legal process, and call for openness and clarity in international co-operation, to ensure due process and that civil liberties are protected.
This was an unacceptable and unprecedented attack on press freedom, free speech and privacy. A full investigation into the circumstances and legality of the action taken to seize the Indymedia servers and to close Indymedia websites, with the disclosure of the names of the organisations and individuals involved in the seizure is urgently needed to restore confidence in the British Government’s commitment to free speech and the rule of law.
Thank you for your time, and I look forward to a favourable response on this issue.
Yours faithfully,
Your Name