YAHOO! (20 july 2006)
Today, I decided to stop using my Yahoo email account.
Not a very spectacular feat, I admit. What may be more interesting is the reason why I did it. I'll quote Amnesty International:
Yahoo has admitted to providing the Chinese authorities with information that led to the eventual arrest and imprisonment of journalist Shi Tao, considered by Amnesty International to be prisoner of conscience.
Shi Tao is serving a ten-year prison sentence in China for sending an email which included information on the government response to the Tiananmen Square massacre. Shi Tao sent the email to the US using his Yahoo account. The Chinese authorities accused him of "illegally providing state secrets to foreign entities".
According to the Court transcript, the evidence that led to Shi Tao’s sentencing included account-holder information provided by US internet company Yahoo.
Shi Tao was accused of sending an email summarizing an internal Communist Party directive to a foreign source. The Communist Party directive had warned Chinese journalists of possible social unrest during the anniversary of the June 4 Movement (in memory of the Tiananmen crackdown), and directed them not to fuel it via media reports.
Imprisoned for peacefully exercising his right to freedom of expression, a right entrenched in international law and the Chinese Constitution, Amnesty International considers Shi Tao a prisoner of conscience.
Companies must respect human rights, wherever they operate. Yahoo’s actions are not justifiable: the company unconditionally met the Chinese government’s request for information on Shi Tao, and allegedly contributed to Li Zhi’s detention.
Paradoxically, Yahoo has stated that it believes in the core values of "excellence, innovation, customer fixation, team work, community and fun". Yet, the company has signed the Public Pledge on Self-Discipline for the Internet Industry, effectively agreeing to implement China’s draconian system of censorship and control.
Amnesty International has raised its concerns with Yahoo. The company has responded but has not addressed all the concerns raised.
If you also think Yahoo's conduct is outrageous, you can visit the website of Amnesty International and send an e-mail to the responsible parties.
