MTN faces human rights probe

4 Apr 2012

The SA Human Rights Commission has received a request from the DA to investigate MTN for alleged human rights violations in Iran. MTN has been accused of facilitating the surveillance of Iranian opposition activists by allowing phones to be bugged.

Rival cellphone company Turkcell has also accused MTN of using bribery to obtain an operating licence for Iran. The case has been brought before a court in the US.

According to court papers quoted by DA spokesman David Maynier, MTN "offered the advantage" to Iranian state-owned defence company Sairan to provide access by the Iranian Ministry of Defence to MTN's devices once the company started running a private cellular network in Iran.

"The access would facilitate installation of eavesdropping technology on MTN devices," Maynier said.

SAHRC spokesman Vincent Moaga confirmed receiving the DA's request.

Moaga said the first stage of the investigation would be to establish whether there were prima facie violations of human rights and whether MTN had a case to answer.

The commission would also seek to establish whether it was the right body to deal with the matter, he said.

MTN said on its website that its role in widening access to mobile technology was a liberating force for Iranians, regardless of political allegiances.

"On human rights, the group takes direction from and adheres to the policies of both the South African government and the UN ... MTN seeks to ensure that our corporate values of respect for human rights are reflected in the way we do business and we expect all our partners to adhere to these fundamental principles," it said. - Sapa

Source: The Times

Source: I-Net Bridge

For more than two decades, I-Net Bridge has been one of South Africa’s preferred electronic providers of innovative solutions, data of the highest calibre, reliable platforms and excellent supporting systems. Our products include workstations, web applications and data feeds packaged with in-depth news and powerful analytical tools empowering clients to make meaningful decisions.

We pride ourselves on our wide variety of in-house skills, encompassing multiple platforms and applications. These skills enable us to not only function as a first class facility, but also design, implement and support all our client needs at a level that confirms I-Net Bridge a leader in its field.

Go to: http://www.inet.co.za