This week, the Brazilian Congress may vote on Marco Civil, which some have called a ‘Constitution for the Internet’. Sir Tim Berners-Lee, founding director of the Web Foundation and inventor of the World Wide Web, has offered this statement of support.

“In this, the Web’s 25th anniversary year, people everywhere are demanding that their human rights are protected online. If Marco Civil is passed, without further delay or amendment, this would be the best possible birthday gift for Brazilian and global Web users. I hope that by passing this Bill, Brazil will cement its proud reputation as a world leader on democracy and social progress and will help to usher in a new era – one where citizens’ rights in every country around the world are protected by digital bills of rights.

“Like the Web, Marco Civil has been built by its users – the groundbreaking, inclusive and participatory process has resulted in a policy that balances the rights and responsibilities of the individuals, governments and corporations who use the Internet. Of course, there is still discussion around some areas, but ultimately the draft Bill reflects the Internet as it should be: an open, neutral and decentralized network, in which users are the engine for collaboration and innovation. Commendably, the Bill has among its foundations the guarantee of human rights such as privacy, of citizenship and the preservation of the diversity and the social purpose of the web.”