Jag skickade mail till ledamoten av EU-parlamentet Alyn Smith, för att höra hur han ställde sig till tillägg 138, och detta är hans svar, skickat efter att tillägget röstades igenom:
Good Morning XXXXX
Thank you for contacting me on the important subject of internet access, I have had a great deal of correspondence on this point, from all over the EU.
I can assure you that I am and have always been in favour of free access tot he internet, and in favour of maximum privacy. I have always supported those principles, as have my Scottish National party colleagues in the London or Scottish Parliaments.
I am delighted that our, and your, pressure paid off, and the amendment which stipulates that "no restriction may be imposed on the fundamental rights and freedoms of end users" was approved by 40 votes to 4. This is, as you can imagine, a thumping majority and I am delighted that the Committee backed fundamental freedom. We have this morning issued the press Release below in my name.
Of course, this issue is not over in the Parliament yet, ad the dossier now movesto the full plenary meeting in May for a vote of the full Parliament. I will continue to press for as much freedom as possible to internet users.You may wish to keep in touch with this and other cmapaigns either via my webpage www.alynsmith.eu or even become my friend on Facebook.
Yours aye
Alyn
The following is the press-release:
FOR IMMEDIATE USE: WEDNESDAY 22 APRIL 2009
ATTENTION: NEWSDESKS
SMITH DELIGHT AS EU PARLIAMENT COMMITTEE BACKS INTERNET FREEDOM
Alyn Smith MEP, alternate member of the European Parliament's powerful Industry, Research and Energy Committee, has expressed his pleasure with the vote on the Telecoms Package as a victory for fundamental rights of access to the internet.
The committee overwhelmingly approved an amendment to the Trautmann Report which asserts that "no restriction may be imposed on the fundamental rights and freedoms of end users" (without a prior ruling by judicial authorities, or when public security is threatened), and references the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. This amendment will make it very difficult to introduce laws that would allow internet service providers or governments to cut off users' internet access without a proper and independent judicial process, and came in the teeth of opposition particularly from the French, who wanted to see a much more onerous inspection and access regime.
Speaking after the vote, Mr Smith said:
"This is fantastic news, and shows that the Parliament is on the side of our citizens and on the side of internet freedom.
"I'm delighted that the Parliament has continued to uphold its position that it adopted at first reading back in September, which I supported. Access to the internet is absolutely essential for people and businesses. I am deeply worried by proposals in France and elsewhere to impose a so-called
"graduated access" or "three strikes and you're out" model, where a user's internet access can be blocked for minor violations of copyright. Not only is this a violation of basic freedoms, but the comprehensive surveillance of internet users it implies is absolutely unacceptable in a free society. We can only begin to contemplate such drastic action after serious violations of criminal law, and only through a rigorous judicial process which is completely independent of corporations or governments.
"I firmly believe in the principle of "net neutrality": internet access must be comprehensive, complete and universal, with no restrictions apart from actual violations of criminal law, and no surveillance of internet users. I will oppose all attempts to restrict access for users.
"Unfortunately, due to French pressure, the member state governments are still likely to act as a roadblock on this issue. I urge the Council to approve this amendment as soon as possible so we can vote it through plenary and make it law. Europe's internet users demand and deserve nothing less."
Man kan bara hoppas att fler politiker är eller blir lika insiksfulla.
Lite hopp om framtiden ger det iallafall, Alyn Smith är den yngste skotska ledamoten.
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