[bestbits] IGC press release in response to the NTIA announcement of March 14

[parminder]

Mawaki

Thanks for this effort.

As often and variously discussed on this list, terms like 'equitable 
multistakholder policy development model' are very problematic unless we 
have some basic definition of what is meant here, and  it clearly 
excludes decision making on public policy issues... This particular 
language should therefore be struck out.

Also, our communication , immediately after welcoming the decision and 
complimenting US gov for it, shouldupfront say that we are eager to know 
more details - especially about (1) whether it means that ICANN would no 
longer be under any contractual obligations with the US gov, and be in 
independent control of the root zone server, and (2) what happens to the 
issue of jurisdiction of incorporation of ICANN and it being subject to 
US laws and such and (3) whether any conditions would be imposed in 
'freeing ICANN' and if so, of what nature.... And that we look forward 
to complete and real globalisation of ICANN, in a manner that takes care 
of these issues..

Also, a minor point, about one but last para, governance institutions do 
not have customers, only constituencies and the such...

Thanks, parminder


On Sunday 16 March 2014 02:40 AM, Mawaki Chango wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> Please find a draft of the above subject for your consideration and 
> possible revisions. This is just a first crack attempted considering 
> the speed of the events. I'm cc'ing BB as a peer organization with 
> same concerns.
>
> We would appreciate your inputs by Monday noon, UTC.
> ---
>
> IGC Draft Press Release
>
> On March 14, U.S. Commerce Department’s National Telecommunications 
> and Information Administration (NTIA) announced its intent to 
> relinquish the oversight role it has played so far with the Internet 
> Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) regarding key 
> Internet domain name functions.  As the announcement points out, this 
> marks the final phase of the transition intended from the inception of 
> ICANN toward the privatization of the domain name system (DNS) and its 
> stewardship.
>
> The Internet Governance Caucus (IGC) welcomes this decision and 
> appreciates the opportunity to further evolve toward an equitable 
> multistakeholder policymaking model for the governance of the 
> Internet. In that regard, IGC pays a particular attention to the 
> reiteration by NTIA of the necessity to involve all stakeholders in 
> the process as well as in the desired outcome for fully completing the 
> above transition. [If deemed relevant by members and subject to what 
> the following actually entails: “Meet the needs and expectation of the 
> global customers and partners of the IANA services”] We also support 
> the four principles put forward by NTIA to guide ICANN and the global 
> Internet community in the formulation of a proposal to finalize this 
> transition.
>
>
> While acknowledging the primary role of Internet organizations and 
> technical standard-setting bodies, IGC wishes to call attention to the 
> utmost importance of giving due consideration to the concerns and 
> views of non-technical and non-commercial stakeholders in Internet 
> policies. Indeed IGC supports the multistakeholder policymaking model 
> to the extent that it does not contradict the ideals of democracy, 
> including due consideration to the rights of minorities (in the 
> context of Internet policy). It will be a constant challenge to make 
> sure the term ‘multistakeholder’ is not reduced to mean 
> ‘anti-all-governments-of-the-world’ but is rather open to embrace a 
> ‘pro-all-peoples-of-the-world’ meaning.
>
>
> Furthermore, a great deal of care should be given to designing the 
> appropriate accountability mechanisms that fits a truly global 
> governance institution – with a constituency and a customer base that 
> actually is global. Related to that and more broadly, adequate 
> responses must be found to the concern that while achieving effective 
> accountability such institution (to emerge from this transition) 
> should not be subject to any one national jurisdiction at the 
> exclusion of others. It must be equally available and accessible to 
> all Internet stakeholders.
>
>
> Since ICANN is one of the co-conveners of the upcoming NETMundial, the 
> Global Meeting on the Future of Internet Governance(www.netmundial.br 
> <http://www.netmundial.br>) to be held in Brazil this April, we advise 
> that it includes in its consultation process for the transition 
> proposal the propositions made in submissions, proceedings and 
> outcomes of that meeting as regards the phasing out of the current 
> role played by NTIA in the coordination of the Internet’s domain name 
> system.
>
> The Internet Governance Caucus
>
> March xx, 2014.
>

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