Lawmakers in Holland have voted to strike down the international Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), slammed by many as a free speech and info access choker. Dutch MPs have also ruled the government will by no means sign any such agreement.
The Dutch parliamentarians have opted not to wait for the EU’s vote on ACTA which is set for June, with consultations kicking off currently this Thursday.
“The treaty should be taken off table, whatever the choice the European Parliament should consider,” said MP Kees Verhoeven, a main sponsor of Tuesday’s motion in the Dutch Parliament.
Lisa Neves Goncalves, a spokeswoman for the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, said the government had earlier this year stated it would not sign off on the treaty until it was clear it did not breach the Dutch or EU constitution.
As the controversial bill is making its slow way through the EU Parliament, the UK Pirate Party, the Open Rights Group (ORG) and the French La Quadrature Du Net are calling for far more anti-bill rallies.
Sources and more information:
• Dutch lawmakers reject online piracy treaty
05-29) 11:07 PDT THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — Dutch lawmakers adopted a motion Tuesday urging the government not to sign a controversial international treaty aimed at reining in online piracy. The motion was another setback for the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement, known as ACTA, which has run into opposition around the world.
• Dead on arrival? Dutch Parliament kills ACTA before EU vote
Lawmakers in Holland have voted to strike down the international Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA), slammed by many as a free speech and information access choker. Dutch MPs have also ruled the government will never sign any such agreement. The Dutch parliamentarians have opted not to wait for the EU’s vote on ACTA which is set for June,…
• ACTA Still Referred to European Court of Justice
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