+ 1

On 10/12/2015 16:07, Milan, Stefania wrote:
> Dear all
>
> first of all thanks to Niels for raising the issue. We clearly cannot ignore this problem, while we travel there for an event which will definitely be used by the local authorities as a source of international legitimation and to show off in a variety of ways.
>
> But I agree with Sam: we have to think carefully about available options and their consequences. Not only is there the problem of mission creep when we mobilise ICANN as a space; there is also the risk, as Sam rightly said, that people expect more from us than we can actually provide.
>
> Like many of you, I remember the WSIS in Tunis. I was reporting from the protests outside the summit. I interviewed and gave voice, eccetera but the reflection I made back then was that ... well, we "internationals" raised quite some outcry but .. then we left. And some people on the ground had to bear the consequences of their connection with us. Although with the best intentions, we ultimately did not contribute much, and probably even made things more difficult.
>
> Networking and taking the chance to meet, talk to and organise international support at the margins of ICANN would probably be more useful. As NCUC we have established the "tradition" of meeting "the civil society" the Saturday before the meeting starts, and we use that time to introduce ICANN to the local and recruit members. We can, e.g., organise such an event, but instead spend the time to listen to the "locals". I would also be happy to see the NCSG, or NCUC if it is easier, to take stance here. A statement, well sourced and coordinated with our members who are from the region, could be at least the starting point for a dialogue.
>
> My two cents, Stefi
>
>
> ________________________________________
> Da: NCSG-Discuss <[log in to unmask]> per conto di Stephanie Perrin <[log in to unmask]>
> Inviato: mercoledì 9 dicembre 2015 23.23
> A: [log in to unmask]
> Oggetto: Re: Marrakesh & 7 human rights defenders
>
> I support your position Sam.  I am as disgusted as anybody about what is
> going on in Morocco re free speech, but a protest within our agenda does
> not really fit in the mandate of ICANN, and inflaming the high level
> meeting of Ministers which will be going on simultaneously is IMHO not a
> great idea tactically, and embarrassing the Moroccan government is a
> certainty given the profile of that event.  Having a parallel event,
> such as Akdeniz et al did in Turkey beside the IGF last year might be a
> better solution.  We do not want to undo the good work of getting human
> rights wording into the bylaws.
> Stephanie Perrin
>
> On 2015-12-09 15:11, Sam Lanfranco wrote:
>> NCSG Colleagues,
>>
>> I would like to caution a rush to decision here. But first I want to
>> put my credentials on the table so there is no questioning of
>> motives.  I have been engaged in civil rights struggles since the
>> 1950's and 1960's where (in Berkeley) I, and my car, were shot at
>> (tear gas grenades). For the past quarter century I have worked with
>> the Ambedkar Centre for Justice and Peace in Mumbai (ACJP is a human
>> rights, atrocity prevention and amelioration ngo dealing with
>> Dalit/untouchable human rights and abuse).
>>
>> Niels has put a proposal on the table and one cannot but agree with
>> the concerns around human rights and freedom of expression, while at
>> the same time having major reservations about the proposed activities.
>> I will state my personal objections here, and suggest an alternative.
>>
>> Since there is time between now and Marrakesh, after consultation, I
>> will come back later with a position based on what the NPOC membership
>> has to say about the proposed activities.
>>
>> First, it is important to remember that there is a vast difference
>> between asking ICANN to be introspective, accountable and transparent
>> about the relationship between activities within its remit and human
>> rights. That has been the central focus of human rights discussions
>> within ICANN up to now. The proposal to address Moroccan human rights
>> issues within ICANN sessions is a quite different activity and
>> essentially proposes that elements of the ICANN constituencies engage
>> in broad human rights advocacy within ICANN. Also, look at the Human
>> Rights Watch reports on ICANN's African GAC members. One could ask,
>> why stop at Morocco? Africa produces an almost endless list of human
>> rights abuses, mainly based on curbing freedom of expression. There is
>> a better way.
>>
>> It would make more sense for individuals within ICANN constituencies,
>> Niels' Article Nineteen, and local Moroccan human rights advocates to
>> arrange concurrent events outside ICANN, using the opportunity of
>> people attending ICANN in Marrakesh to engage in those events. This is
>> superior to pressing for events within ICANN for two key reasons.
>>
>> The first is that engaging within the ICANN program in national human
>> rights issues outside ICANN's remit is dangerous scope creep for
>> ICANN. ICANN can advocate for the stability and security of the DNS,
>> and it can be concerned about the relationship between the stability
>> and security of the DNS as that relates to human rights, but it should
>> stop there, at the border of its remit. Engaging in advocacy within
>> ICANN would of course anger Morocco, and such anger and concern would
>> go viral across GAC members and drive an even bigger (toxic) wedge
>> between GAC and the NCSG constituencies, both within ICANN and at home.
>>
>> The second reason is that trying to fit Moroccan human rights issues
>> into the already overly tight and compressed ICANN meeting agenda
>> would be a disservice to Moroccans engaged in human rights advocacy.
>> There is a real risk that Moroccan colleagues would expect more than
>> could be delivered within ICANN meeting constraints. Even follow up
>> press coverage would be highly constrained and risk coloring ICANN
>> with an advocacy ting that would serve nobody.
>>
>> On the other hand, a concurrent event, organized in cooperation with
>> but mainly by Moroccans and with extensive participation by those
>> attending the ICANN meetings, would have more substance and more scope
>> for follow up press coverage. ICANN people could attend the Moroccan
>> event as individuals, or with the formal blessing of their own
>> constituency organizations, outside of ICANN.
>>
>> Let us try to do this one right. A good idea badly executed is a
>> lose-lose for all.
>>
>> Sam L.
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-- 

Matthew Shears
Director - Global Internet Policy and Human Rights
Center for Democracy & Technology
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