VVOA常速英语2020--美国对白俄罗斯关闭互联网表示关注

Next, an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government. Belarusian authorities continue to disrupt internet access and restrict online content in response to nationwide protests over fraudulent presidential elections held August 9. As a result, the United States along with 35 other nations issued a statement condemning¹ the ongoing² use of partial and complete Internet shutdowns by the regime of Alexander Lukashenka. Shutdowns and blocking or filtering of services unjustifiably limit the rights of peaceful assembly and freedoms of association and expression, the statement noted³. In conjunction with restrictive measures and intimidation⁴ employed against opposition⁵ candidates and the mass arrests and detentions⁶ of Belarusian peaceful citizens and journalists, actions to limit access to the Internet, including social media and other digital communication platforms, further erode⁷ civic⁸ space. The United States and its allies will continue to stand with the courageous⁹ people of Belarus, who are making their voices heard in spite of these oppressive measures. It is noteworthy that women are playing a central role in calling for fairness and accountability. Indeed, every Saturday since the fraudulent election, there has been a peaceful women’s protest, with thousands of women attending, condemning violence and urging Lukashenka to step down.

以下是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。白俄罗斯当局继续阻碍民众使用互联网，限制网络内容，以此来回应8月9日的欺骗性总统选举后全国范围内爆发的抗议活动。为此，美国联同其他35个国家发表声明，谴责亚历山大·卢卡申科持续使用部分或完全关闭互联网的手段。声明指出关闭互联网、封锁或过滤互联网服务的行径不合理地限制了和平集会的权利以及结社和言论自由。加上对反对派候选人实施的限制与恐吓措施，对白俄罗斯和平公民和记者进行的大规模逮捕和拘留，以及限制民众使用互联网，包括社交媒体和其他数字通信平台的行径，都进一步侵蚀了公民空间。美国与盟国将继续与勇敢的白俄罗斯人民站在一起，他们不顾这些压迫措施，仍旧发出他们的呼声。值得注意的是，女性在呼吁公正和问责制方面发挥着核心作用。事实上，在欺骗性选举之后的每周六，都会有女性发起一次和平抗议，数千名妇女参与其中，谴责暴力行为，并敦促卢卡申科下台。

Civic space online is integral to a vibrant¹⁰ civic space off-line. Governments should not block or hinder Internet connectivity, as shutdowns often undermine human rights and fundamental freedoms, including the rights of peaceful assembly and freedoms of association and expression that form the basis of a democratic society. Internet shutdowns impact all users, especially marginalized groups and those in vulnerable situations. Shutdowns limit media freedom and the ability of journalists and human rights defenders¹¹ to report on human rights violations¹² or abuses and hold governments accountable. Shutdowns and restrictions¹³ also limit the dissemination¹⁴ and free flow of information, harm economic activity, contribute to social and political disorder¹⁵, and negatively affect public safety. Human rights must be protected online just as they are protected off-line. The U.S. and its fellow signatories call on Belarusian authorities to refrain from Internet shutdowns and blocking or filtering of services and to respect Belarus’s international human rights obligations. It is incumbent¹⁶ on the government of Belarus to respect civic space, including respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, democracy, and the rule of law. All human rights violations related to the Belarusian election must be independently investigated and the perpetrators brought to justice. That was an editorial reflecting the views of the United States government.

网上公民社会空间是充满活力的线下公民社会空间不可或缺的一部分。各国政府不应该封锁或限制互联网连接，因为关闭互联网往往会损害人权和根本自由，包括和平集会权利以及结社和言论自由，而这些权利和自由构成了民主社会的基石。关闭互联网会对所有用户产生影响，特别是那些边缘化群体和弱势民众。关闭互联网会限制媒体自由，限制记者和人权捍卫者报道人权侵犯行为并追究政府责任的能力。关闭或限制互联网还会限制信息的传播和自由流动，损害经济活动，造成社会和政治混乱，并对公共安全产生负面影响。无论线上和线下都必须保护人权。美国和其他声明签署伙伴国呼吁白俄罗斯当局不要关闭互联网，不要阻止或过滤互联网服务，并尊重白俄罗斯的国际人权义务。白俄罗斯政府有义务尊重公民空间，包括尊重人权、根本自由、民主和法治。与白俄罗斯选举有关的所有人权侵犯行为都必须受到独立调查，侵权者必须被绳之以法。这是一篇反映美国政府政策立场的社论。

1 condemning   

v.（通常因道义上的原因而）谴责( condemn的现在分词 )；宣判；宣布…不能使用；迫使…陷于不幸的境地

参考例句：

• The government issued a statement condemning the killings. 政府发表声明谴责这些凶杀事件。
• I concur with the speaker in condemning what has been done. 我同意发言者对所做的事加以谴责。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 ongoing   

adj.进行中的，前进的

参考例句：

• The problem is ongoing.这个问题尚未解决。
• The issues raised in the report relate directly to Age Concern's ongoing work in this area.报告中提出的问题与“关心老人”组织在这方面正在做的工作有直接的关系。

3 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

4 intimidation   

n.恐吓，威胁

参考例句：

• The Opposition alleged voter intimidation by the army.反对党声称投票者受到军方的恐吓。
• The gang silenced witnesses by intimidation.恶帮用恐吓的手段使得证人不敢说话。

5 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。

6 detentions   

拘留( detention的名词复数 )； 扣押； 监禁； 放学后留校

参考例句：

• Teachers may assign detention tasks as they wish and some detentions have been actually dangerous. 老师可能随心所欲指派关禁闭的形式，有些禁闭事实上很危险。
• Intimidation, beatings and administrative detentions are often enough to prevent them from trying again. 恐吓，拷打和行政拘留足以阻止请愿者二次进京的脚步。

7 erode   

v.侵蚀，腐蚀，使...减少、减弱或消失

参考例句：

• Once exposed,soil is quickly eroded by wind and rain.一旦暴露在外，土壤很快就会被风雨侵蚀。
• Competition in the financial marketplace has eroded profits.金融市场的竞争降低了利润。

8 civic   

adj.城市的，都市的，市民的，公民的

参考例句：

• I feel it is my civic duty to vote.我认为投票选举是我作为公民的义务。
• The civic leaders helped to forward the project.市政府领导者协助促进工程的进展。

9 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

10 vibrant   

adj.震颤的，响亮的，充满活力的，精力充沛的，(色彩)鲜明的

参考例句：

• He always uses vibrant colours in his paintings. 他在画中总是使用鲜明的色彩。
• She gave a vibrant performance in the leading role in the school play.她在学校表演中生气盎然地扮演了主角。

11 defenders   

n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者

参考例句：

• The defenders were outnumbered and had to give in. 抵抗者寡不敌众，只能投降。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• After hard fighting,the defenders were still masters of the city. 守军经过奋战仍然控制着城市。 来自《简明英汉词典》

12 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

13 restrictions   

约束( restriction的名词复数 )； 管制； 制约因素； 带限制性的条件（或规则）

参考例句：

• I found the restrictions irksome. 我对那些限制感到很烦。
• a snaggle of restrictions 杂乱无章的种种限制

14 dissemination   

传播,宣传,传染(病毒)

参考例句：

• The dissemination of error does people great harm. 谬种流传，误人不浅。
• He was fully bent upon the dissemination of Chinese culture all over the world. 他一心致力于向全世界传播中国文化。

15 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

16 incumbent   

adj.成为责任的，有义务的；现任的，在职的

参考例句：

• He defeated the incumbent governor by a large plurality.他以压倒多数票击败了现任州长。
• It is incumbent upon you to warn them.你有责任警告他们。