Open letter from the French Libertarian Party in defense of freedom of expression.
Citizens, political leaders and defenders of freedom,
The French Libertarian Party launches an urgent appeal to all those who understand the vital importance of freedom of expression. The recent events, marked by the arrest of Pavel Durov, founder of Telegram, must not leave anyone indifferent. Today, it is time to go beyond political divisions to protect a fundamental right that concerns us all: the freedom to make our voices heard.
On Sunday, September 15, we invite you to a transpartisan rally at Place de la République, in Paris. This rally aims to defend freedom of expression, online anonymity and to support Pavel Durov in the face of absurd accusations. Our stage will be open to all those who wish to express themselves on these crucial issues.
The accusations made against Pavel Durov are unfounded and disturbing. The state claims that Durov failed to cooperate, while Telegram has always responded to legitimate judicial requests. What is at issue here is its refusal to give in to illegitimate pressure, without a warrant, to spy on its users. This is not a crime, but an act of resistance to a state intrusion into our individual freedoms. And, of course, it is absurd to blame a platform like Telegram for the criminal actions of a minority of its 900 million users.
Durov’s arrest sets a dangerous precedent. Never has a CEO of a major tech company been treated in this way, without legal proceedings against the company first being initiated. Yet Telegram remains accessible and downloadable, only the company’s director is being questioned. This arrest, orchestrated in the greatest silence, has only one goal: to silence a voice that refuses to submit to state censorship.
Let us not be mistaken: this case is not isolated. All over the world, governments are seeking to restrict freedom of expression on the Internet. In the United States, Mark Zuckerberg admitted to censoring content at the request of the government. In Brazil, X/Twitter was blocked outright. In Europe, laws are multiplying to stifle dissenting voices. France, unfortunately, is also embarking on this slippery slope.
The Durov affair symbolizes a worrying global trend. If we do not act now, we run the risk of being the next victims of this censorship. Freedom of expression is not a privilege. It is an inalienable right that we must protect, today more than ever. If today we allow the State to encroach even further on freedom of expression and anonymity online, tomorrow we risk handing over to those who will take power a complete arsenal to muzzle all opposition.
This is why the French Libertarian Party, in collaboration with the Libertarian Party of Russia, is calling for a massive mobilization on Sunday, September 15, on the Place de la République.
We must act, together, to defend freedom. Because tomorrow, it may be too late.
What matters is your political opinion, if tomorrow you can no longer express it.
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Privacy is a right, not a privilege. Free speech is the foundation of a healthy society.