OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Harlem Désir called on Ukrainian lawmakers to review a draft bill that would allow the Security Service of Ukraine to block websites declared as threatening to Ukraine’s national security without a court ruling.
The bill jeopardizes free access to information online, Désir said in a July 6 statement.
“I call on the lawmakers to seriously reconsider the text of the draft law and balance security concerns with the citizens’ right to free expression and free media,” Désir said.
The bill on countering threats to national security in the information sphere, as its called, was approved by the Verkhovna Rada’s committee on security and defense and will go on a vote in the first reading next week.
“While I share the national security concerns of Ukraine, the draft bill should […] avoid the application of overly broad and excessive measures affecting the dissemination of online content in Ukraine,” Désir said. “The draft law also lacks provisions ensuring effective judicial oversight and due process regarding decisions on blocking of access to services.”
Provisions in the law that grant security services broader control over the internet and online news outlets in particular have raised concerns among media watchdogs, who argue that it would give the government a powerful tool for mass censorship in the run-up to the March 2019 Presidential elections.
Read more: Parliament committee okays bill critics say will block websites, end internet anonymity
