Governments Use "War on Terrorism" to Threaten Civil Liberties
In times of crisis, whether real or manufactured, national governments often find it expedient to eliminate or abridge the rights of activist citizens in an effort to "maintain order." Ongoing incidents concerning surveillance and repression of citizens by their own governments take place almost everywhere on
Source : Indymedia
By Indymedia
WORLDWIDE: CIVIL LIBERTIES Oct 24 2001
Earth -- recently, for example, throughout Europe, in Argentina, India, Slovenia and Italy.
Now, the "War against Terrorism" has served to intensify this dynamic. In France, in order "fight terrorism," the government is weighing a series of exceptional security amendements, part of the "Loi Securite Quotidienne" ("Day-to-day Security Law") that would infringe upon constitutional rights.
Human Rights activists are protesting such measures. In Germany, police officers broke into the homes and office of the group 'Libertad!, confiscating computers, hard disks, CD-ROMs and documents. 'Libertad!' had mobilised in protest of the deportation of refugees by the airline 'Deutsche Lufthansa AG'.
In the United States, where so much is made of freedom and democracy, measures that threaten civil liberties like former President Clinton's Executive Order #12919 have been in place, or intended to be put in place for years.
There is a relatively long history of repression against progressive activists in the United States and the countries the U.S. influences worldwide, both during peace time and war. Civil libertarians are strongly protesting creation of the Office of Homeland Security along with the debates surrounding the US Anti-Terrorism Act. Some call "Orwellian" the increasingly sweeping proposals that are being put forward.
In the present atmosphere of war, many are calling for measures that will further restrict civil liberties and human rights. Both on the ground and in cyberspace national security is being used as an excuse to question free speech.
U.S. government surveillance techniques as Carnivore and Echelon as well as encryption crackdowns are finding even more support than they did before the September 11 attacks, when surveillance by governments and private corporations was already on the rise worldwide.
Likewise, in real space workplace surveillance, face recognition technology, national ID cards, fingerprint tracking and Social Security number schemes are being seriously considered in government and corporate circles. Many who rely on the freedom to dissent are preparing to protect themselves, wondering if appeal to government is still viable. Some are taking their fears, inspiration, and creativity to the streets.
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