[IRPCoalition] [bestbits] free flow of information @ Netmundial - Civil Society major issues

Tue Apr 15 13:31:54 EDT 2014

Fwiw, I think free flow of information falls squarely under Article 19.

Sent from my iPhone

On Apr 15, 2014, at 12:15 PM, "Matthias C. Kettemann" <matthias.kettemann at gmail.com<mailto:matthias.kettemann at gmail.com>> wrote:

I'm not sure I agree. I think the case can be made that "free flow of information" is an implied condition for everyone to seek, receive, impart information (Article 19 UDHR).  This argument is strengthened by the the language of Art. 19 (2) ICCPR ..... freedom "to seek, receive and impart information and ideas of all kinds, regardless of frontiers, either orally, in writing or in print, in the form of art, or through any other media of his choice". That sounds very much like being premised upon the free flow of information. A UN resolution doesn't instantly change the character of a right. The UDHR is by and large customary law, the ICCPR signed by practically all states. Further, the free flow of information is an essential precondition to exercisizing FoE online - the 2011 and 2012 Special Rapporteur reports by Frank La Rue are helpful in explaining this. So: custom and treaty (and some recent explaining by the Special Rapporteur): You won't get much stronger commitments in international law.

Kind regards
Matthias

On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 6:06 PM, Jeanette Hofmann <jeanette at wzb.eu<mailto:jeanette at wzb.eu>> wrote:
Hi Anne,

I have argued for integrating Human Rights language into the draft document. "Free flow of information" is not part of any UN resolution and thus not the same as the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Free flow of information neither implies enforceable rights nor does is it imply any obligations of governments. Language is very important when it comes to human rights.

jeanette

Am 15.04.2014 16:33, schrieb Anne Jellema:
Jeanette, thanks - the example serves your purpose of illustrating the
complexity of positioning  in the textual negotiations. On a side note,
though, I'm surprised to hear you say that you have opposed free flow of
information on grounds that it is not a human right. Article 19 of the
UDHR states that:

Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right
includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and */to seek,

receive and impart information and ideas through any media and
regardless of frontiers/*.

Best

Anne

On Tue, Apr 15, 2014 at 3:46 PM, Jeanette Hofmann <jeanette at wzb.eu<mailto:jeanette at wzb.eu>
<mailto:jeanette at wzb.eu<mailto:jeanette at wzb.eu>>> wrote:

    Hi,

    Am 15.04.2014 14:54, schrieb parminder:

        Not only net neutrality has been removed,

    'free flow of information' which figured twice in the earlier
    (leaked) draft has been removed from both places..

    in my capacity as a HLMC member I have spoken up against free flow
    of information in the human rights section because free flow of
    information is not a human right. Ironically, someone from the
    business sector objected to removing this term from the human rights
    section.

    I am reporting this to illustrate that the negotiation of the text
    hasn't always followed the distribution of power and interest that
    some on this list may assume. The draft document represents
    victories and defeats on all sides.

    jeanette

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Dr. Matthias C. Kettemann, LL.M. (Harvard)
Post-Doc Fellow | Cluster of Excellence „<http://www.normativeorders.net/de/organisation/mitarbeiter-a-z/person/442>Normative Orders<http://www.normativeorders.net/de/organisation/mitarbeiter-a-z/person/442>”<http://www.normativeorders.net/de/organisation/mitarbeiter-a-z/person/442>, University of Frankfurt/Main
Lecturer | Institute of International Law and International Relations, University of Graz<http://voelkerrecht.uni-graz.at/en/>
Research Affiliate | European Training and Research Centre for Human Rights and Democracy, University of Graz<http://trainingszentrum-menschenrechte.uni-graz.at/en/infos-fuer-studierende/>

Exzellenzcluster "Normative Ordnungen", Goethe-Universität Frankfurt/Main
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Recent publications:
Freedom of Expression and the Internet (2014, co-author)<https://book.coe.int/eur/en/human-rights-and-democracy/5810-freedom-of-expression-and-the-internet.html>
Bestand und Wandel im Völkerrecht [Continuity and Change in Int'l Law] (2014, co-editor)<http://www.peterlang.com/index.cfm?event=cmp.ccc.seitenstruktur.detailseiten&seitentyp=produkt&pk=77956&concordeid=264568>
Netzpolitik in Österreich [Net Politics in Austria] (2013, co-editor)<http://publikationen.collaboratory.at/mri/>
Grenzen im Völkerrecht [Limits of International Law] (2013, editor)<http://www.jan-sramek-verlag.at/Buchdetails.455.0.html?buchID=139&cHash=e856a8a762>
The Future of Individuals in International Law (2013)<http://www.elevenpub.com/law/catalogus/the-future-of-individuals-in-international-law>
European Yearbook on Human Rights 2013 (2013, co-editor)<http://www.nwv.at/recht/verfassungsrecht/1019_european_yearbook_on_human_rights_2013/>

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