Ahead of a joint conference in Vienna the Austrian Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Michael Spindelegger and Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland have called for the Internet to be governed according to human rights standards.

“We must ensure that there are the same standards for the protection of human rights off-line and online. We must not tolerate double standards when it comes to issues such as the right to private life”, said the Austrian Vice Chancellor.

“Access to the Internet has become essential for enjoying democratic freedoms. Citizens should enjoy a maximum of rights while being subject to a minimum of risks. This is the big challenge we are faced with”, added the Secretary General.

The conference - “Our Internet – Our rights, Our freedoms” (24 and 25 November in Vienna) - brings together representatives of the private sector, civil society and governments to discuss how to best protect human rights on the Internet. (more...)

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