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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Hi All<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>A little while ago, on this list, we discussed about writing to the MAG
expressing our concern on dilution of ‘rights’ issues’ in the
IGF agenda and program, and there was general support that such a letter should
be sent. The Dynamic Coalition on Internet Bill of Rights has prepared such a
letter that they plan to send to the MAG on the 15<sup>th</sup> August, so that
its content can be included in the official consultation document for September
MAG consultation..<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'> I put this letter for IGC’s consideration and possible
endorsement. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>The letter can be seen at <a
href="http://www.socialtext.net/internet-bill-of-rights/index.cgi?rights_as_core_theme_of_the_igf">http://www.socialtext.net/internet-bill-of-rights/index.cgi?rights_as_core_theme_of_the_igf</a>
, and the final text is also given below this email<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Two things are important to note in this respect.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>(1) The letter is primarily been prepared, and is ‘owned’,
by the dynamic coalition, and at this stage, with only three days to go for
the submission deadline of the 15<sup>th</sup>, we can only accept to endorse
it or not endorse it in the shape that it is. It will not be possible to take
in suggestions for any changes to the text as a condition for endorsement. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>(2) The fact that we are endorsing a letter prepared by the dynamic coalition,
and that this is not directly an IGC letter, also means that in endorsing we need
not be agreeing with each and every word of it. The option, as I said, is to broadly
endorse such a letter or not to do so. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>I am putting this up for rough consensus. Please only indicate whether you
do accept IGC endorsing the letter or not. A direct ‘yes’ or ‘no’
reply is required. While substantiating arguments may be stated, conditional
acceptance will not be registered. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Reponses to this may be sent within the next 48 hours. At close of 48
hours from now the co-coordinators will judge whether a rough consensus on
endorsing the letter is obtained or not, and take action accordingly. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Thanks<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Parminder <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<div style='mso-element:para-border-div;border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;
padding:0in 0in 1.0pt 0in'>
<p class=MsoNormal style='border:none;padding:0in'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Rights as core theme of the IGF</span><o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h4 id="dear_igf_secretariat_and_multi_stakeholder_advisory_group"><b><font
size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Dear IGF
Secretariat and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group,<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h4>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The
Dynamic Coalition on the Internet Bill of Rights respectfully requests that the
issue of rights and the internet is made a core agenda topic for the IGF. The
Dynamic Coalition notes that, through the "openness" theme, rights
have been a central topic in the previous IGFs, and is concerned that this
topic appears to have been pushed down the draft agenda for this year's IGF in
Hyderabad.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>We are
greatly concerned by the significant reduction of emphasis on
"openness" and "diversity" in the current agenda for
Hyderabad. In particular, "openness and privacy" are only mentioned
as a half of a sub-item of the general "<em><i><font face="Times New Roman">Promoting
Cyber-security and Trust</font></i></em>" main theme. Rather than
promoting positive discussion about how to expand the opportunities that the
internet offers for realizing our fundamental rights and freedoms as enshrined
in international law, the title of the main security theme plays on negativity
and fear of the internet. We are concerned that the sessions will focus on
security measures, without adequate discussion of how to ensure that these do
not erode the capacity of the internet to support and advance human rights, for
example to expression, culture, privacy and development.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Given
that, in addition to the IBR Dynamic Coalition, several other coalitions and
IGF participants are also concerned with the limited consideration of rights on
the program, we respectfully ask the Secretariat and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory
Group to reconsider the draft agenda and to add "Rights and the
Internet" as a core theme for Hyderabad, and to work towards incorporating
‘Rights and the Internet’ into the IGF Cairo agenda as an
overarching theme.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>We
recognize that development of the draft agenda is well underway, but feel that
it would still be possible to adapt the agenda without undue impact on the
ongoing workshop merger process, by reorienting the sub-theme main session
"<em><i><font face="Times New Roman">Fostering Security, Privacy and
Openness</font></i></em>" to focus on rights. The issue of security would
be better addressed in the partnering sub-theme session, coupled with the issue
of cybercrime. The main plenary session could then bring these two strands
together. Another possibility to give rights a more prominent stance would be
to change the title of the main theme, "<em><i><font face="Times New Roman">Promoting
Cyber-security and Trust"</font></i></em> to, "<em><i><font
face="Times New Roman">Balancing Security and Trust with Openness and Freedoms</font></i></em>
(or Rights)".<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>As we
wrote in the Dynamic Coalition report submitted to the Secretariat on 30th
June, the coalition would like to offer its support in helping to shape such a
session in partnership with the workshop organisers who have opted to merge
with it. We also stand ready to engage in a dialogue with the Secretariat and Advisory
Group in order to ensure that rights receive adequate attention at the IGF.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>We thank
you for your consideration and await your response.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Kind
regards,<br>
The Internet Bill of Rights Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<h4 id="about_the_internet_bill_of_rights_coalition"><b><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>About the Internet Bill
of Rights Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></h4>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The
Internet Bill of Rights Dynamic Coalition is acting as an umbrella coalition
for all individuals and groups who are concerned with rights issues and
internet governance. The internet has unleashed a raft of opportunities to
protect and expand our human rights as protected by international law, and
offers significant new possibilities for development and empowerment. However,
the internet also presents us with serious challenges, including how to balance
the social goods that stem from the openness of the internet with the need for
security, and how to ensure that the benefits that the internet brings are
shared by all. The Dynamic Coalition on the Internet Bill of Rights is working
to address these issues, with a view to ensuring that human rights are integral
to internet governance processes and decisions.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Our
membership is diverse in terms of stakeholders, geography and view points. For
example, some people in the coalition are concerned with ensuring that our
rights our protected when we use the internet, some are working to ensure that
rights underpin the norms that guide internet governance, and others are
seeking to establish rights to the internet so that all have access to the
benefits and opportunities it supports. Yet all of our members are keen to see
a greater focus on rights in the main agenda of the IGF so that these important
issues can be given the attention that they deserve.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>The topic
of the "Internet Bill of Rights", as a specific IGF main agenda item
and long-term goal, has already received a significant degree of wide spread
interest and support. This has included an appeal by illustrious people at the
second WSIS in Tunis, massive participation in the Coalition's workshops in
Athens and Rio, a dedicated international conference in Rome with attendees
from over 70 countries, and an official declaration by the governments of Italy
and Brazil. We also note that organizations such as the Council of Europe and
the Association for Progressive Communications have made similar requests for a
stronger focus on rights at the IGF.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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