[governance] Freedom of Expression on the Internet Cross-regional Statement

[Nyangkwe Agien Aaron]

The speech is very welcome.
But why was the speaker stressing on the point that he was speaking
for a particular zone. The issues tackled involved all zones and users
of online communicaétion world wide.

Aaron

On 6/22/11, Asif Kabani <kabani at isd-rc.org> wrote:
> Fouad,
>
> Thanks for the speech.
>
> Regards
>
>
>
> On 21 June 2011 17:28, Fouad Bajwa <fouadbajwa at gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> This may be of interest if you have not read it earlier:
>>
>> SPEECH
>> Human Rights Council 17th session 10 June 2011
>> Carl Bildt, Minister for Foreign Affairs
>> (Jan Knutsson, Ambassador, Permanent Mission of Sweden in Geneva)
>> Freedom of Expression on the Internet Cross-regional Statement
>>
>> http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/14194/a/170566
>>
>> Freedom of Expression on the Internet Cross-regional Statement
>> Check against delivery.
>>
>> Mr President,
>> I have the honor of addressing the Human Rights Council on behalf of
>>
>> Austria, Bosnia, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia,
>> the Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Guatemala, India, Indonesia,
>> Israel, Japan, Jordan, Lithuania, fmr Yugoslav Rep of Macedonia,
>> Maldives, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, the
>> Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Palestine, Peru, Poland, Senegal,
>> South Africa, Serbia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine,
>> the United States, Uruguay
>>
>> Mr President,
>> The Vienna Declaration and Program of Action asserted that all human
>> rights are interdependent and interrelated. The positive potential in
>> that statement has been amply demonstrated by the incredible spread
>> and use of modern communication technologies. As was stated also in
>> this general debate in the Human Rights Council one year ago, these
>> technologies have enabled ordinary citizens in all corners of the
>> world, to disseminate their views and to communicate with others on a
>> scale that was quite unimaginable not long ago. Internet, social
>> media, and mobile phone technology have played, and should continue to
>> play, a crucial role as instruments for participation, transparency
>> and engagement in socio-economic, cultural and political development.
>>
>> For us, one principle is very basic: The same rights that people have
>> offline - freedom of expression, including the freedom to seek
>> information, freedom of assembly and association, amongst others -
>> must also be protected online.
>>
>> We were pleased to see the Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression
>> endorse that same principle in his most recent report. That report,
>> based on wide-ranging global consultations, including two expert
>> meetings in Stockholm, is a timely contribution. But it will now be up
>> to us, as member states, to translate several of its key
>> recommendations into practical steps that will make a difference, as
>> part of our work in this field.
>>
>> The Internet should not be used as a platform for activities
>> prohibited in human rights law. However, we believe, as does the
>> Special Rapporteur, that there should be as little restriction as
>> possible to the flow of information on the Internet. Only in a few
>> exceptional and limited circumstances can restrictions on content be
>> acceptable. Such restrictions must comply with international human
>> rights law, notably article 19 of the ICCPR. We consider
>> Government-initiated closing down of the Internet, or major parts
>> thereof, for purposes of suppressing free speech, to be in violation
>> of freedom of expression. In addition, Governments should not mandate
>> a more restrictive standard for intermediaries than is the case with
>> traditional media regarding freedom of expression or hold
>> intermediaries liable for content that they transmit or disseminate.
>>
>> We call on all states to ensure strong protection of freedom of
>> expression online in accordance with international human rights law.
>>
>> We also underscore the importance of privacy protection, which goes
>> hand in hand with freedom of expression in the use of new
>> technologies. Arbitrary or unlawful interference with anyone's
>> privacy, family, home or correspondence as well as unlawful attacks on
>> people's honor and reputation can undermine freedoms of expression,
>> association and assembly. This right to privacy also applies to online
>> communication and activities. With limited exceptions, individuals
>> should be able to express themselves anonymously on the Internet.
>>
>> Recognizing the global nature of the Internet, we share the key
>> objective of universal access. Internet is a formidable force in
>> generating development and promoting economic, social and cultural
>> rights, and the present digital divide must be bridged to enable
>> participation of all.
>>
>> We also want to preserve and promote diversity on the Internet, both
>> cultural and linguistic, and to promote local culture, regardless of
>> language or script.
>>
>> All users, including persons with disabilities, should have greatest
>> possible access to Internet-based content, applications and services,
>> whether or not they are offered free of charge. In this context,
>> network neutrality and openness are important objectives. Cutting off
>> users from access to the Internet is generally not a proportionate
>> sanction.
>>
>> Decisions on Internet governance and policy issues, at global as well
>> as regional levels, should be consistent with international human
>> rights law, including protections for freedom of expression and the
>> right to privacy, and reached in multilateral, transparent and
>> democratic environments. In such environments, it is important that
>> the multistakeholder principle is respected and that governments, the
>> private sector, civil society, academic community and the entire
>> Internet technical community work together to build greater trust in
>> the ICT networks, including necessary cross-border co-operation.
>>
>> As governments, we should encourage cooperative efforts by the private
>> sector to promote respect for human rights online. Such efforts can
>> address human rights impacts of action taken by the private sector and
>> can encourage respect for human rights. Yet, while adherence to human
>> rights principles by businesses has become essential to ensure online
>> freedom of expression, it cannot be a substitute for the
>> responsibility of governments to uphold human rights and the rule of
>> law in all Internet and telecommunication policy and regulation.
>>
>> Mr President,
>>
>> The Internet has expanded the reach of freedom of expression for
>> hundreds of millions of people around the world. We wish to join the
>> efforts to protect these advances, while also working to make access
>> to the new technologies affordable and universal.
>>
>> We welcome all other states to associate themselves to this statement.
>>
>> Thank you.
>> ____________________________________________________________
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>>
>
>
> --
> Asif Kabani
> Email: kabani.asif at gmail.com
>
>
> “The fundamental cure for poverty is not money but knowledge" Sir William
> Arthur Lewis, Nobel Prize Economics, 1979
>


-- 
Aaron Agien Nyangkwe
Journalist-OutCome Mapper
C/o
P.O.Box 5213
Douala-Cameroon
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