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. Eine derart weitreichende Registrierung des Kommunikations-, Bewegungs- und Internetnutzungsverhaltens greift unverhältnismäßig in die persönliche Privatsphäre ein.

2. Die geplante Vorratsdatenspeicherung hebt den Schutz besonderer Vertrauensbeziehungen auf und beeinträchtigt dadurch berufliche Aktivitäten.

3. Die geplante Vorratsdatenspeicherung verhindert Terrorismus und Kriminalität nicht.

4. Die geplante Vorratsdatenspeicherung belastet Wirtschaft und Verbraucher mit hohen Kosten und schränkt Zugangsmöglichkeiten zum Internet ein.

5. Die geplante Vorratsdatenspeicherung diskriminiert Nutzer von Telefon, Handy und Internet gegenüber anderen Kommunikationsformen wie der Post und unmittelbaren Gesprächen.

6. Die geplante Vorratsdatenspeicherung verletzt das Menschenrecht auf Privatsphäre und informationelle Selbstbestimmung. Sie ist daher verfassungswidrig.

7. Wegen offensichtlicher Rechtsverstöße ist der deutsche Gesetzgeber nicht zur Umsetzung der EU-Richtlinie zur Vorratsdatenspeicherung verpflichtet.

Pressekonferenz:

Am 02.11.07 um 10:30 laden wir zu einer Pressekonferenz in den Robert-Havemann-Saal ein, Haus der Demokratie und Menschenrechte, Greifswalder Str. 4, 10405 Berlin. (Stadtplan und GPS-Koordinaten)

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