[governance] Statement by IGC supporting rights and principles

[Meryem Marzouki]

Dear Lisa and all,

Thanks for this statement which, I understand, is intended for oral  
presentation at next IGF preparatory meeting and complement the  
written statement already submitted. I'm sorry that I couldn't  
express in time my support to the latter.

Below are some suggested amendments. While I agree that explicit HR  
violations and commitments shouldn't be included in such a statement  
at this step, I feel however needed to recall the legally binding  
character of HR standards (as translated into protocols and other  
binding conventions). Furthermore, I tried to get rid of this  
'balance' wordings: HR standards _already_ reflect such a balance, so  
the point is to comply with these standards. The same applies to the  
'rights and responsibilities' doxa: HR standards have precisely been  
defined -- and agreed -- so that they define these respective rights  
and responsibilities. Let's not fall into a trap which would only  
lead us to accept dilution, if not restrictions, of HR standards.

My suggestions are highlighted in the draft statement below, hope  
this is readable -- and agreeable to IGC members.

Best,
Meryem

--
Meryem Marzouki - http://www.iris.sgdg.org
IRIS - Imaginons un réseau Internet solidaire
40 rue de la Justice - 75020 Paris

Le 2 sept. 09 à 18:53, Lisa Horner a écrit :
> --------------------
>
> DRAFT STATEMENT
>
> The following statement is submitted on behalf of the Civil Society  
> Internet Governance Caucus [Comment: if agreed, we could make it a  
> joint statement by IGC and some dynamic coalitions].
>
> The Caucus [and undersigned DCs] request[s] that the human rights  
> are given adequate attention in the programme for IGF-4 in Egypt  
> gives the required attention to human rights.  The WSIS Declaration  
> and Tunis Agenda reaffirmed the importance centrality of human  
> rights in the information society, but human rights and associated  
> principles have received very little attention at the IGF so far.   
> This is problematic as:
> •	Fundamental human rights including such as the rights to freedom  
> of expression, and privacy, and education are threatened by current  
> internet governance processes and practice.
> •	The internet presents new opportunities for upholding and  
> advancing human rights, for example through enhancing access to  
> knowledge and resources. It is vital that we build on and enhance  
> these opportunities.
> •	TIn addition to its legally binding implications, the human  
> rights framework is an internationally accepted agreed set of  
> standards that has practical as well as ethical value.  It contains  
> guidelines on how to balances different rights against each other  
> to preserve individual and public interest.  This makes it the  
> required scheme as well as a useful tool for addressing internet  
> governance issues, such as how to deal with security concerns on  
> the internet in compliance with the rights to freedom of expression  
> and privacy balance freedom of expression with concerns for  
> security on the internet.  TBesides stating obligations on States  
> and governments, the framework also allows to derive considers both  
> rights and responsibilities of other different stakeholders.
>
> The Internet Governance Caucus [and undersigned DCs] call[s] for  
> human rights standards issues to be included in addressed during  
> the planning and implementation of all IGF sessions, so that they  
> are given the attention they deserve as cross-cutting issues.  This  
> should include explicit consideration of how global, regional and  
> national policies affect fundamental rights, and the development of  
> positive policy principles to build an open and accessible internet  
> for all.  The Caucus [and undersigned DCs] would like to offer  
> assistance to the organisers of the main plenary sessions to do  
> this, and would like to support all stakeholders through providing  
> access to relevant guidelines and experts.


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