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The suppression of human rights – when will the governments get a clue?

According to researchers from Citizen Lab, a web censorship watchdog at the Munk School of Global Affairs, at the University of Toronto, Netsweeper currently provides filtering tools to state-owned telecommunications companies in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

All three clients use the software to block political, religious and same-sex content, Citizen Lab has reported. In its promotional material, Netsweeper boasts it can block websites “based on social, religious or political ideals.”

Reporters Without Borders currently ranks Yemen 170th out of 178 countries listed according to severity of internet censorship.

Two of Netsweeper’s other clients, Qtel and du, provide internet services in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, which are ranked 87th and 121st on the same list.

In the U.A.E, the ongoing trial of Ahmed Mansoor, a blogger and human rights advocate, and four other pro-democracy activists, has drawn condemnations from Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International.

Netsweeper refuses to address allegations its products are being used to suppress free speech abroad.

Sites blocked by Netsweeper clients

Qatar:

Arabtimes.com, a U.S.-based political satire website

Qatarsucks.com, a news site critical of human rights standards in Qatar

Secularislam.org, the website for the U.S.-based Institute for the Secularization of Islamic society

Islamreview.com, a site that offers critical review of Islam

Glas.org, official website for the Gay and Lesbian Arabic Society, an organization for gays and lesbians of Arab descent or those living in Arab countries.

Tumblr.com, one of the world’s most popular blog sites

U.A.E.:

Arabtimes.com, a U.S.-based political satire website

Localnewsuae.com, a news website in the U.A.E.

Uaehewar.net/Forums, a popular discussion forum known as a hangout for U.A.E. opposition writers

Sites showing non-erotic gay and lesbian content

Tumblr.com, one of the world’s most popular blog sites

Yemen:

Tumblr.com, one of the world’s most popular blog sites

Jilliancyork.com, the personal website of OpenNet Initiative researcher Jillian C. York