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<title>RE: [governance] Inputs for synthesis paper</title>
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<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'>Milton<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'>>> > Conceptions of 'rights and the Internet' extend to the
area of<br>
>> > positive<br>
>> > rights - for instance in the area of access, where a 'right to
the<br>
>> > Internet' is being articulated by some groups, and to collective
rights<br>
>> > like cultural rights, including the right to have an Internet in
ones<br>
>> > own language, which can underpin the<br>
> > important IGF thematic area of cultural diversity.<br>
<br>
>I oppose this language. As I have made clear, I don't think there is such a
thing as a collective right, or a positive right that is meaningful in this
context, and have no >idea what is meant >by "cultural rights"
-- except that people have spent centuries violating all kinds of rights --
expression, association, life -- in an attempt to >protect collectivities or
cultures. (Milton)<br>
<br>
I cant start explaining the meaning of cultural rights here because there are many
UN documents on it, and much existing scholarship. You may sit with someone from
indigenous rights group to learn what are cultural and collective rights. As
late as last year UN general assembly adopted the “<a
href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations" title="United Nations"><font
color=black><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>United Nations</span></font></a>
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”. But what you really mean
to say is that that you just don’t agree with all these rights. That’s
your political position, and that’s fine. <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'>Cultural rights are mentioned in human rights instruments quoted
repeatedly in the WSIS documents. There is express mention of these rights in
civil society declarations during the WSIS. You may want to distance yourself from
these documents, but I have reason to believe that a big majority of IGC
members are of ‘not’ of this view. However, the issue is open for
comments, and let us hear what the members have to say on it. <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 proposed input is not written in the form of a definitive exposition
of what are rights in relation to the Internet but as a tentative exploration of
territory of rights in this new context with a purpose of seeking a clearer and
stronger engagement of all in this area. I would not be comfortable if IGC
proposes any such tentative exploration without mentioning rights like cultural
rights and positive rights at all. What you are saying is that the very categories
of positive rights and collective rights do not pass muster with you, and I cannot
accept this position for making the caucus statement. <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 would request IGC members to give their views on, and text proposals
for, the proposed drafts for IGC inputs into the synthesis paper for IGF
Hyderabad. We are running short of time now. So if you are going to say anything
at all, please say it now. <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>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size:
10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2
face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> Milton L Mueller
[mailto:mueller@syr.edu] <br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Wednesday, September 03,
2008 9:30 AM<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> governance@lists.cpsr.org<br>
<b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> RE: [governance] Inputs
for synthesis paper</span></font><o:p></o:p></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 style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3
face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=2 face="Times New Roman"><span
style='font-size:10.0pt'>>> > Conceptions of 'rights and the Internet'
extend to the area of<br>
>> > positive<br>
>> > rights - for instance in the area of access, where a 'right to
the<br>
>> > Internet' is being articulated by some groups, and to collective
rights<br>
>> > like cultural rights, including the right to have an Internet in
ones<br>
>> > own language, which can underpin the<br>
> > important IGF thematic area of cultural diversity.<br>
<br>
I oppose this language. As I have made clear, I don't think there is such a
thing as a collective right, or a positive right that is meaningful in this
context, and have no idea what is meant by "cultural rights" --
except that people have spent centuries violating all kinds of rights --
expression, association, life -- in an attempt to protect collectivities or
cultures.<br>
<br>
I see that Parminder has chosen to ignore extensive evidence of contention
around this issue on the list, and apparently thinks he can put his own views
into our mouths. As always, we can engage with these disagreements honestly, or
dishonestly; i.e., we can recognize in the statement differences of views about
what rights are and how they are defined, or we one faction that is temporarily
dominant and holding the pen.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
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