Re: [hr-wsis] comment on the Draft non-paper

[dbronson@ichrdd.ca]

Hey Rikke

I have not seen the non-pâper and think it must only have been circulated
on the CT list.  Can you post it to HR list ?

thanks

db

Diana Bronson
Rights and Democracy/Droits et Démocratie
www.ichrdd.ca



                                                                           
             "Frank                                                        
             Joergensen,                                                   
             Rikke"                                                     To 
             <rfj@humanrights.         <hr-wsis@iris.sgdg.org>             
             dk>                                                        cc 
                                                                           
             2003-10-28 03:25                                      Subject 
             PM                        [hr-wsis] comment on the Draft      
                                       non-paper                           
                                                                           
             Please respond to                                             
             hr-wsis@iris.sgdg                                             
                   .org                                                    
                                                                           
                                                                           




Hi all,



Ive produced some input responding to Sallys request for
comments/non-negotiables for the Draft non-paper posted to the list today.
Comments and suggestions most welcome,



best

Rikke





Comments on the Draft non-paper of the President of the WSIS Prepcom on the
declaration of principles


Building the Information Society: A global challenge I the new Millennium






Produced by the Human Rights Caucus and the Privacy and Security WG

October 28th, 2003





Paragraph 1

We request a reference to the principle of 'non-discrimination' in Sections
A. We suggest it be included in paragraphs 1 or 2.



Justification: It is crucial that the principle of non-discrimination be
affirmed to stress that all (women, young people, people with disabilities,
elderly people, minorities etc.) should have equal rights in the
information society.



Paragraph 3

We support the reference to the Right to Development.



Paragraph 4

We strongly support the reference to Article 19 of the Universal
Declaration of Human Rights.

We suggest that article 19 be quoted in full length: “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.



Paragraph 5

We request removal of the second sentence “and our shared values as well as
religious, family, cultural, social, and linguistic interests and ethical
principles protected�.



Justification: The concept of shared values, interest and ethical
principles is too broad and vague, and opens for possible misuse for
instance in terms of censorship.



Paragraph 20

Insert 'community centres, libraries' after 'schools'.

Justification: specific attention and support should be given to
community-based initiatives.



Paragraph 21

We strongly support the affirmation that: 'the ability for all to access
and contribute information, ideas and knowledge is essential in an
inclusive information society.'



Paragraph 32

We request removal of the term 'information security' and to use only
“network security�.



Justification: Information security implies regulation of content and can
be used to legitimize censorship and surveillance measures.



Paragraph 33

We strongly suggest deletion of paragraph 33. However, if the paragraph is
kept, we demand that the phrase 'consistent with the need to preserve the
free flow of information' stays in the sentence. The competing proposal 'in
accordance with the legal system of each country' is unacceptable. We also
request deletion of the bracketed language '[in both civil and military
fields]'.



Justification: The privacy and security discussions have - since the Paris
Intersessional - shifted from a focus on the need for infrastructure
integrity to a highly politicized agenda, characterized by language
referring to the integrity of the military field and the use of information
resources for criminal and terrorist purposes. Definitions of criminal and
terrorist purposes in existing and emerging policies and legislation are
ambiguous and prevent the use of information resources for legitimate
purposes. They threaten rights such as the right to privacy, freedom of
association, freedom of movement and freedom of expression.



Paragraph 36

We request that it be stressed that the rule of law should comply with
human right standards.



Paragraph 38

We strongly recommend the deletion of this paragraph because it is
confusing. It would be necessary to distinguish between the various forms
of intellectual property, such as copyright, patents, trademarks, etc.



Paragraph 46

We recommend the deletion of this paragraph.



Justification: National policy issues have to comply with international
human right standards and other international agreements.



Paragraph 47

We consider it unacceptable that none of the options mentions the
involvement of Civil Society.

Of the five available options, we would prefer a).



Paragraph 52

We request that the following bracketed texts be deleted:

[in accordance with the legal system of each country and]

[particularly on Articles 19 and 29]

[Individuals and media should have access to available information]



Justification: First sentence opens for national legislation that is not in
compliance with human right standards. Second sentence should only refer to
article 19, which regulates press freedom, or not point to specific
articles at all.  Third sentence is without meaning, since it only
addresses access to “available� information.



We propose to include the following text after the words 'Traditional
media': including public service broadcasting and community media´ instead
of 'in all its forms'.



Paragraph 54

We suggest deletion of this paragraphs.



Justification: It is to broad and imprecise when speaking of ethics and the
family. It could be misused to legitimize censorship on content.








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