WASHINGTON - January 29 - Amnesty International USA's (AIUSA) Board of Directors commended Google, Inc., for its decision to openly oppose censorship and expose the cyber attacks directed at human rights activists in China.

In a letter sent on January 29, 2010, to Google's Board of Directors, the AIUSA Board described Google's actions "as a positive example to all other companies doing business in China."

The organization encouraged Google to stand firm in its decision, and to partner with other stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, industry organizations and U.S. policymakers, to undertake further actions to influence China's policies.

"While we encourage and support your discussions with the Chinese government on how to operate an unfiltered search engine within the law in China, we urge you to stand fast in your decision to cease censorship of searches in China and to fully implement this decision immediately," stated the letter, signed by AIUSA Board Chair Jeff Bachman.

In addition, AIUSA asked Google and its directors to educate their peer companies about its choice to refuse to censor in China and why such a decision is in the best interests of all companies doing business in China.

"You have demonstrated a willingness to sacrifice short-term revenue for the sake of creating a censorship-free, human rights-friendly environment that will benefit your customers and everyone doing business in China. We appreciate your actions and hope that other firms will follow your lead," concluded the AIUSA letter.

Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 2.2 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public, and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom, truth and dignity are denied.