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Afghan senators asks government to block Facebook website
By Ghanizada - Sun Jun 22 2014, 7:36 pm
A number of Afghan senators on Sunday asked the government to block the Facebook social media website as there have been growing inflammatory statements by supporters of the runoff contenders in social media websites.
The senators said Facebook website should remain blocked until the issues relating to the runoff presidential election are resolved and vote results have not been announced.
This comes as the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also urged for responsible use of social media platforms, particularly in relation to the country’s ongoing electoral process.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš, said, “Everyone has a right to their own views and opinions and to express these on social media, which can be a valuable tool in helping generate enthusiastic debate and encourage public participation – however, using these platforms for communication in ways which could increase tensions or incite violence is not conducive to the historic electoral process currently underway.”
Kubis said, “There has been a disturbing tone in some social media platforms, and we urge supporters of the candidates in the Afghan Presidential elections to refrain from inflammatory statements, hate speech or statements which promote divisive ethnic mobilization.”
He also added, “This includes rhetoric that brings back memories of tragic, fratricidal, factional conflicts in the 1990s that cost the lives of tens of thousands of civilians.”
UNAMA also called on the candidates to take all steps necessary to control their supporters to prevent them from making any irresponsible statements and from taking steps that could lead to civil disorder and instability
By Ghanizada - Sun Jun 22 2014, 7:36 pm
A number of Afghan senators on Sunday asked the government to block the Facebook social media website as there have been growing inflammatory statements by supporters of the runoff contenders in social media websites.The senators said Facebook website should remain blocked until the issues relating to the runoff presidential election are resolved and vote results have not been announced.
This comes as the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also urged for responsible use of social media platforms, particularly in relation to the country’s ongoing electoral process.
UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan and head of UNAMA, Ján Kubiš, said, “Everyone has a right to their own views and opinions and to express these on social media, which can be a valuable tool in helping generate enthusiastic debate and encourage public participation – however, using these platforms for communication in ways which could increase tensions or incite violence is not conducive to the historic electoral process currently underway.”
Kubis said, “There has been a disturbing tone in some social media platforms, and we urge supporters of the candidates in the Afghan Presidential elections to refrain from inflammatory statements, hate speech or statements which promote divisive ethnic mobilization.”
He also added, “This includes rhetoric that brings back memories of tragic, fratricidal, factional conflicts in the 1990s that cost the lives of tens of thousands of civilians.”
UNAMA also called on the candidates to take all steps necessary to control their supporters to prevent them from making any irresponsible statements and from taking steps that could lead to civil disorder and instability
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