Totally right, Sam. Nothing to add. J. Restrepo



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Subject: NCSG-DISCUSS Digest - 28 Jun 2017 (#2017-169)



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Topics of the day:



  1. Requirements for information about speakers and participants for ICANN60

     in Abu Dhabi



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Date:    Wed, 28 Jun 2017 18:13:35 -0400

From:    Sam Lanfranco <[log in to unmask]>

Subject: Re: Requirements for information about speakers and participants for ICANN60 in Abu Dhabi



Constituency Colleagues,



The subject of human rights and, in particular, the rights of digital citizenship in countries hosting ICANN meetings, is both the elephant and the gorilla (the unspoken issues) in ICANN Conference venue discussions.  Without going into specifics, in the past several years ICANN has held its conferences in countries where, while ICANN was meeting, governments were exercising extreme control over their citizenry’s access to the Internet and cell phone service.



What is absolutely clear is that ICANN should have venue criteria that are sensitive to these issues, and these are issues that should be raised in all ICANN venue selection discussions.



What is also absolutely clear is that such issues should be raised and addressed prior to the selection of a venue. The subsequent ICANN event should not be used as a platform for raising country specific issues. I would go so far as to recommend that for countries with human rights issues, digital or otherwise, if and when ICANN reaches what it considers as a satisfactory arrangement, there is an understanding that during the event none of ICANN’s constituency groups will publicly, or in collaboration with local groups, engage in activities that challenge human rights record and policies of the local government.



This is not because governments should not be challenged on their record, and it is not because local groups should not be supported. It is also not just because these issues should be sorted out prior to venue selection. It is because delegates to ICANN meetings are in a privileged position, and while public displays would probably not put delegates at risk, they would put local collaborators at risk, especially after ICANN has left the scene.



Sam Lanfranco



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"It is a disgrace to be rich and honoured in an unjust state" -Confucius

  邦有道，贫且贱焉，耻也。邦无道，富且贵焉，耻也

------------------------------------------------

Dr Sam Lanfranco (Prof Emeritus & Senior Scholar) Econ, York U., Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - M3J 1P3

email: [log in to unmask]   Skype: slanfranco

blog:  https://samlanfranco.blogspot.com

Phone: +1 613-476-0429 cell: +1 416-816-2852



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End of NCSG-DISCUSS Digest - 28 Jun 2017 (#2017-169)

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