Electronic Frontier Foundation Petitions Cisco to Stop Helping China Abuse Human Rights

August 5, 2011

Yesterday the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a non-profit digital rights advocacy group, launched a petition on behalf of Chinese cyber-dissident Du Daobin. Mr. Du, a prolific writer of pro-democracy articles, was interrogated on August 2nd by Chinese Public Security officials regarding his involvement in the lawsuit Du Daobin et. al v. Cisco Systems, Inc. 

The petition states:

Chinese dissident writer Du Daobin may face imprisonment and torture for trying to hold Cisco accountable. Urge Cisco Systems to intervene on Mr. Du's behalf and to stop helping China abuse human rights.

Mr. Du has spent 4 years under probation for his online activites as well as 3 years in prison- on charges of "inciting to subvert state power". He, and countless others, have suffered for their peaceful disagreement with the Chinese Communist Party's authoritarian regime and support for democratic reforms. Cisco Systems has been integral in enabling the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to closely monitor internet activites of its outspoken citizens. The lawsuit asserts that Cisco knowlingly provided Chinese police with specialized internet surveillance technologies, equipment, and training through its massive Golden Shield Project.

EFF calls on the public to, "help us defend this political activist, and call on American companies to defend human rights rather than selling the tools of repression!"

To take action, visit EFF's website and Tell Cisco: Stop helping China abuse human rights!