Christchurch Call outcome is a vital first step in addressing terrorism and violent extremism online

InternetNZ is pleased with the outcome of today’s Christchurch Call summit in Paris and welcomes the commitment to action by key tech companies and governments to address terrorism and violent extremism online.

“It’s important that governments and online service providers have come together on this issue, to agree real, actionable changes,” says Jordan Carter, Chief Executive of InternetNZ.

The final Christchurch Call to Action text includes detailed commitments from governments and online service providers, and:

• A recognition that all action on this issue must be consistent with principles of a free, open and secure Internet, without compromising human rights and fundamental freedoms, including freedom of expression;
• Commitment to work together to work with other voices and support community led efforts to counter violent extremism; and
• Commitment to develop and support a range of practical, non-duplicative initiatives to ensure that this pledge is delivered.

“The Christchurch Call needs to be a start to a new phase of cooperation between governments, social media providers and civil society to counter terrorism and violent extremism online.

“We all need to build off this Christchurch Call to realise positive change - by working together to shape the implementation of these commitments, and to ensure these commitments sustain and improve our human rights online as well as our commitment to an open and secure Internet,” says Carter.

InternetNZ will continue to engage with the New Zealand Government and the people of New Zealand to see the work of the Christchurch Call has started continue.

“InternetNZ stands for helping New Zealanders to harness the power of the Internet for good. The Christchurch call is a chance to make our lives online better,” says Carter.

InternetNZ is also committed to continuing support and advocacy for the ongoing and vital role of international civil society, technical community and academia, as well as survivors and those impacted by this issue/these issues.

Carter chaired the Voices for Action meeting yesterday in Paris, gathering voices from Civil society to contribute their expertise on these issues and begin generating ideas for what the next steps should be after the Call.

“It’s important for diverse voices to have input into the complex issues being discussed in this process.

“The Voices for Action meeting was productive and the suggestions have been well received by the New Zealand Government,” says Carter.

“As thoughts now turn to following up on the Call, a key role InternetNZ will take is to do all we can to sustain and support the full involvement of civil society voices from Aotearoa and around the world in these issues. To make progress, everyone has to be around the table. Our commitment is to work at home and internationally to help make that happen,” Carter says.

InternetNZ is involved in the Christchurch Call because of its role in the Internet community, experience in global Internet policy debates, and its long record of providing advice and views to New Zealand governments on Internet policy issues.

ENDS