The Dutch
cabinet will not be signing the ACTA treaty, in line with parliamentary wishes.
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The
anti-piracy bill for the internet ACTA, which is meant to be signed by European
countries, the United States and Japan, has been under fire for some time. Its
opponents fear it will be misused to prevent people illegally downloading films
and music from the internet.
The Dutch
Freedom Party submitted a motion urging the Dutch government not to sign. Green
Left MP Arjan El Fassed asking the government to look into whether the treaty
contravened civil rights, before deciding to sign. Both motions were supported
by a majority of the House. The government has followed their lead.
Interior
Minister Maxime Verhagen said the motions were “superfluous and premature”,
because the government was waiting for a ruling by the European Court of
Justice on the issue. The court is considering whether ACTA does indeed
infringe on civil rights. However, the ruling is not expected before the end of
the year.
Censorship
Law
On 4 July,
the European Parliament will debate the treaty. It’s expected to reject it.
Four influential European Parliament commissions have already said no to ACTA.
A majority of European MPs think the treaty infringes on internet freedom.
The
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) is meant to harmonise international
standards for the protection of the rights of producers of music, films,
pharmaceuticals, fashion and various other products. Combatting piracy is just
one side of the controversial treaty. Its opponents call it the “Censorship
Law”, because it will drastically limit internet freedom.
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