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<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>I would like to fully support the letter and thank those who
took the initiative.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'>Wolfgang benedek<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>Univ.-Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Benedek<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>Institut für Völkerrecht und Internationale Beziehungen<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>Institute for International Law and International Relations<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>Universitätsstraße 15, A4<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>A-8010 Graz<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>Tel.: +43 316 380 3411<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=DE-AT style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#002060'>Fax.: +43 316 380 9455 <o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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<div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0cm 0cm 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'>Von:</span></b><span
style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma","sans-serif"'> Parminder
[mailto:parminder@itforchange.net] <br>
<b>Gesendet:</b> Dienstag, 12. August 2008 09:25<br>
<b>An:</b> governance@lists.cpsr.org<br>
<b>Betreff:</b> [governance] Letter to the MAG on visiblity of 'rights issues'
in the IGF program<o:p></o:p></span></p>
</div>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Hi All<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US> I put this letter for IGC’s
consideration and possible endorsement. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Two things are important to note in this
respect.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>(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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>(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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Thanks<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Parminder <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<div style='border:none;border-bottom:solid windowtext 1.5pt;padding:0cm 0cm 1.0pt 0cm'>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Rights as core theme of the IGF<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 id="dear_igf_secretariat_and_multi_stakeholder_advisory_group"><span
lang=EN-US>Dear IGF Secretariat and Multi-Stakeholder Advisory Group,<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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>Promoting
Cyber-security and Trust</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></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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>Fostering Security, Privacy and Openness</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>Promoting Cyber-security and Trust"</em> to,
"<em>Balancing Security and Trust with Openness and Freedoms</em> (or
Rights)".<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>We thank you for your consideration and await your
response.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>Kind regards,<br>
The Internet Bill of Rights Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<h4 id="about_the_internet_bill_of_rights_coalition"><span lang=EN-US>About the
Internet Bill of Rights Coalition<o:p></o:p></span></h4>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p><span lang=EN-US>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></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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