The Netherlands refuses to sign ACTA

The Dutch cabinet will not be signing the ACTA treaty, in line with parliamentary wishes. The anti-piracy bill for the internet ACTA, which is meant to be signed by European countries, the United States and Japan, has been under fire for some time. Its opponents fear that the bill, intended to prevent people illigally downloading films and music from the internet, will be misused to limit internet freedom .

The Dutch Freedom Party submitted a motion urging the Dutch government not to sign. Green Left MP Arjan El Fassed asking the government to look into whether the treaty contravened civil rights, before deciding to sign. Both motions were supported by a majority of the House. The government has followed their lead. (...)