Übersetzung/English/Local demonstrations (news release)

Nationwide campaign against data retention (22.10.2007) Print E-mail

Press release from 22.10.2007:

„Nationwide campaign against data retention“

The Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung initiated local demonstrations themed „Freedom instead of fear - for basic liberties!“ at 6th November to stop data retention decided by the big coalition.

To mark the poll about the bill about data retention which will be discussed and finalised at 9th November in the German parliament, the Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung initiated local demonstrations. The law shall become effective as of 2008 and deals with a remake of tracing telecommunication. Appropriate authorities will be enabled to check who used the internet with which adress and when, who talked to whom by phone and wherefrom and who contcted whom by email for the last six month. This plans about storing information about communication, relations, movement and using public media offend against secrecy of telecommunications and the basic right of informational self-determination and makes free and fearless life impossible. We call for a turning a way from those unconstitutional attack against civil rights and data protection in Germany.

Hence, we ask all citizens to join untroubled demonstrations in front of government buildings and guildhalls at 6th November from 17:00 to 19:00 and stand up for basic rights. The protests tie in with the demonstration in Berlin at 22th September where 15.000 people participated -- the most since the German Reunification. Now, we want to advise the people all over Germany to the disproportion of complete storage of communication data und appeal for creative activities, talks and pickets to call on the government to stick to the constitution.

Demonstrations are planned in Berlin, Bremen, Frankfurt on the Main, Bonn, Cologne, Leipzig, Karlsruhe, Magdeburg, Munic and Münster. Details and information about further cities will be available on the internet portal of the Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung. Participants are requested to bring along constitutions, candles, flambeaus or grave candles.

Arguments:

Data retention is unportable due to following reasons:

1. This wide registration of communication data, movement behaviour and use of the internet is invasive.

2. The planned data retention suspend cover of trustful relations. Hence, vocational activities will be interfered.

3. The planned data retention does not prevent terrorism or crime.

4. The planned data retention puts a strain on economy and consumer by high costs and limits the access to the internet.

5. The planned data retention discriminates using telephone, mobile phone and internet connections compared with other forms of communication as letters or direct talks.

6. The planned data retention bashes the basic right of privacy and informational self-determination. Thus, data retention is unconstitutional.

7. The German government is not obligated to ratify this EU Directive because of obvious statutory violations.

Press conference:

We invite you to a press conference on 02.11.07 at 10:30 at Robert-Havemann-Saal, Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte, Greifswalder Str. 4, 10405 Berlin (Map and GPS-Coordinates).

About us:

The Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung is a nationwide federation of civil-rights activists, data protection specialists and internet user, which started a campaign against data retention of telecommunication data which is planned by the big coalition of CDU/CSU and SPD and coordinates all local activities. In the meanwhile, more than 50 organisations from civil society, politics as well as professional and employee associations.

The Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung is above party lines and distances itself from inhuman, violent or antidemocratic perceptions.

The call for participate in the protests is connected with a appeal for donations to realise roadshows and print information material. Information for donators: [englischer Link] http://www.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de/content/view/66/81/

Links:

The Arbeitskreis Vorratsdatenspeicherung: https://www.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de

Planning nationwide demonstrations at 6th November: https://wiki.vorratsdatenspeicherung.de/Endspurt

Contact person for the press