Stifling internet freedoms and dissent in Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan

As internet use is expanding, the authorities appear to have become increasingly fearful of the potential of the internet as a platform for open debate, scrutiny of those in power and mobilization of protests.

This has led them to step up censorship, scare tactics and repression of online dissent. While taken in a generally hostile climate for free speech, these measures have further undermined freedom of expression, and freedom of assembly and association, with negative implications for political opponents, civil society activists and citizens at large.

These are some of the conclusions of a joint statement Civic Solidarity Platform member organisations issued for the OSCE Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on Freedom of Assembly and Association in Vienna 8-9 November 2012.

To download the full statement click the link below: