The representative of the CRP Sisak participated at the round table
\norganized by the Human Rights House in its premises on 20th of February
\n2012. The speakers at the round-table were: Marko Rakar – IT expert and
\nactivist, Tomislav Medak – Coordinator from the Multimedia Institute,
\nDomagoj Bebi\u0107 – Faculty of Political Science & Institute for New Media
\nand e-democracy, Stribor Kikerec – Ministry of Foreign and European
\nAffairs, and Sanja Sarnavka – representative of the organizer as well as
\nmoderator of the round-table.
\nACTA, the trade agreement that initiated global attention and protests
\naround the world, has been explained here in general. The discussion has
\ndeveloped after speakers explained basics of the agreement and after they
\nhave expressed their opinion about possible consequences caused by the
\napplication of the same agreement. The public is worried and the main
\nquestion is whether the application of this agreement would establish
\nthe basis for international fight against piracy, or actually behind it all
\nthere is a clear intention to establish full control over, so far, the
\nmost democratic of all media of communication.
\nThe negotiations and the creation of ACTA were arranged in secret,
\nwithout a broad public debate, and many countries and governments stood
\nup against this unilateral act so far and refused to signed it. The
\nact, if examined in depth, is made in an exclusive manner, even repressive, which might lead (if
\nimplemented in this or similar form) to establishing of precedent for
\naction in the global anti-counterfeiting and\/or fight against opponents.
\nACTA thus undermines international legal documents and standards, and the
\nimplementation of such an agreement could lead to restriction of human
\nrights; through bypassing legal mechanisms and institutions around the
\nworld. One of the conclusions of this round-table is that a huge public
\ndebate on issues related to Internet freedom is required and it should be based on various aspects. There is no official position toward
\nACTA in the Croatian government. It was also concluded that many of the
\nmechanisms for the protection of intellectual property rights listed in
\nACTA we already have in our laws and related regulations. Therefore,
\nprotection of intellectual property rights could be improved
\nthrough the consistent application of existing legal norms. Finally,
\nonce again the exceptional importance of the
\ndiscussion in such a complex issue – the application of ACTA has been highlighted.
\nThe round table informed on existing precedent decision in the EU.
\nIt protects the right to privacy with respect to the right to
\nprotection of intellectual property.
\nRound Table was closed by this: “To facilitate access to protected
\ncontent and not to restrict access to it would be of significant help”!<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_1_placeholder\n
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