OSCE media representative urges Tajikistan to restore access to YouTube after being blocked yet again

GENEVA, 11 June 2014 – OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatović today urged the authorities in Tajikistan to ensure its citizens’ unrestricted access to the Internet, following the blocking of access to YouTube by a majority of internet providers in the country.

“It is the government’s responsibility to ensure that all citizens in Tajikistan have unhindered access to information, offline and online. Any imposed restriction should be defined by law, be proportionate and based on a court decision,” Mijatović said.

On 9 June Internet providers in Tajikistan started blocking access to YouTube. In previous cases where YouTube was blocked in Tajikistan in 2012 and 2013, access to the video-sharing website remained restricted for several months.

“There is an apparent and urgent need for more transparency regarding this matter as there is no official information available as to why YouTube has been blocked,” Mijatović said.

Mijatović is in Geneva attending the 26th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media observes media developments in all 57 OSCE participating States. She provides early warning on violations of freedom of expression and media freedom and promotes full compliance with OSCE media freedom commitments. Learn more atwww.osce.org/fom, Twitter: @OSCE_RFoM and on facebook.com/osce.rfom.