'The firewall' in Melbourne’s Federation Square, 30 April 2008. ©Martin Wurt/AIA
The wall has been launched
China's Great Firewall, also known as the Golden Firewall, is monitored by between 30,000 and 50,000 'cyber police'. It is enabled by companies such as Yahoo!, Microsoft, Google, Sohu and Baidu.
"The internet is the new frontier in human rights," says China Campaign Coordinator Sophie Peer.
In its bid for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, China promised there would be 'free and unrestricted media access', but bloggers continue to be jailed, websites shut down and certain webpages remain censored.
On Wednesday 30 April, Amnesty International created a giant wall in Melbourne’s Federation Square. The wall will go on to tour around Australia for the next 90 days, visiting every capital city and many regional centres.
People can tear down and sign one of the 25,000 action cards, representing opposition to internet censorship and support for freedom of expression. These will then be directed to one of five technology companies.
"We are deeply concerned about the involvement of state run and global internet companies in government censorship in China. They should disclose the policies, laws and online practices which may result in user’s details being provided to authorities."
"We are calling on all internet service providers operating in China to publicly support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to privacy."
This action is part of a global week of action by Amnesty International, to raise awareness about human rights violations in China.
National Tour Dates
Wednesday 30 April: Federation Square, Melbourne
Saturday 3 May: Salamanca Square, Hobart
Tuesday 6 May: Rundle Mall, Adelaide
Tuesday 13 May: Brisbane Square, Brisbane
Tuesday tbc June: Freemantle Markets, Perth
Wednesday 27 June: City Walk, Canberra
Thursday 30 July: Martin Place, Sydney
Comments
Solidarity | Posted on 5 May 2008, 08:58PM | Report comment
hboGYT
“I would love freedom and(to a less degree, human rights), that’s why I’m in Australia. But,as of now, my country will not endure such a change to accomodate them, economically. Just let you know that Our government has been experimenting some sort of democracy in certain areas of China.”
HAHAHA you think you’re free?
WELCOME TO AUSTRALIA - Where dissent is looked down upon! And where the government wants to implement its own internet censorship, just like it introduced book ban laws last year, and like it’s introducing volunteer public surveillance in adelaide to help the state monitor the people in it.
Freedom?
hboGYT | Posted on 5 May 2008, 07:03PM | Report comment
I would love freedom and(to a less degree, human rights), that’s why I’m in Australia. But,as of now, my country will not endure such a change to accomodate them, economically. Just let you know that Our government has been experimenting some sort of democracy in certain areas of China.
Lucas McKenna | Posted on 5 May 2008, 06:03PM | Report comment
Well said Sophie.
It’s also a good thing that we get to read comments on this website, like the ones from hboGYT, that are from another point of view.
Free speech for all (even for me)!
Sophie Peer | Posted on 5 May 2008, 01:43PM | Report comment
Hi there
the Chinese Government stated that it would improve human rights as a result of hosting the Olympic Games. Instead we have seen people detained without any charge, more and more websites being blocked, the media being denied access, executions continue and torture carried out. These are human rights abuses. They are not part of a positive legacy.
We are not anti-China, not anti- Olympics. We are pro-human rights and want to see them upheld all over the world.
boo | Posted on 5 May 2008, 12:29PM | Report comment
hello
hboGYT | Posted on 2 May 2008, 09:29PM | Report comment
@carney:
Indeed brave, but I doubt it’s decisive and any helpful to Chinese people. The Chinese government is doing its best to lift our living standard and set up a solid foundation for our future democracy.
What you do may give our people some short-term benefits, but they are worse-off in the long run.
@Pandora
If you really care about Chinese people, stop this nonsense immediately. The Chinese government will do its part.
Pandora | Posted on 2 May 2008, 03:54PM | Report comment
Hi Joe,
Amnesty is not protesting about the Olympics and certainly is not campaigning for a boycott.
Our campaign for Human Rights in China is looking at the future – the future of human rights in China.
We are using the Olympics as an opportunity to shine the light on the many areas of human rights abuses in China that can be improved upon.
Joe | Posted on 2 May 2008, 01:34PM | Report comment
You are annoying stop protesting about the olympic games, its going to happen!
stop looking at the past and get on woth the future.
OLYMPICS
carney | Posted on 1 May 2008, 11:55PM | Report comment
“
#2 posted by hboGYT on 01 May 2008 at 05:55 PM
You think you’re doing the right thing for Chinese people, but you are not. You are only prolonging Chinese people’s suffering.
“
And you think you are by standing by and criticising those brave enough to take decisive action?
hboGYT | Posted on 1 May 2008, 05:55PM | Report comment
You think you’re doing the right thing for Chinese people, but you are not. You are only prolonging Chinese people’s suffering.
Sophie | Posted on 1 May 2008, 12:48PM | Report comment
Wednesday was a great day at Fed Square. Melbournites loved tearing down our wall. Thursday morning is a little drab and grey here in Melbourne, but if you’re about - come on down to the bright, hopeful wall!! There’s shelter, stickers and volunteers on hand to say hi!
It was an amazing day to be in the CBD of Melbourne, a cabbie strike like that would certainly not be possible on the streets of Beijing! Here’s to freedom of expression.