I may have found a way out of the lack of agreement on the human rights commitment.
Actually it's very simple. I think we just express our support for the second, broader formulation.
It contains a qualification ("within its mission") that would prevent any fears that a human rights commitment would take ICANN into all kinds of mission-creeping areas. Here is what I would propose as the final comment:
3. Human Rights definition and application
The CCWG solicits comments on two different ways of formulating ICANN's commitment to human rights. Option one expressed ICANN's commitment "to respect the fundamental human rights of the exercise of free expression and the free flow of information." Option 2 expressed ICANN's commitment more broadly, as:
"Within its mission and in its operations, ICANN will be committed to respect internationally recognized fundamental human rights."
NCSG supports the second, more general formulation. The first formulation is too limited, as it applies only to freedom of expression and not to other human rights, such as privacy, that are directly relevant to ICANN policies. The qualification "within its mission" should allay any fears that a broader human rights commitment would lead to inappropriate expansion of ICANN's mission.
-----Original Message-----
From: NCSG-Discuss [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf
Of Mueller, Milton L
Sent: Thursday, September 3, 2015 4:23 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: [NCSG-Discuss] NCSG comments on the CCWG proposal
Modified the comments on the enhanced Accountability plan after reviewing
the different opinions expressed on the list and on the call two days ago.
It seems as if almost everyone commenting wants to oppose making GAC a
voting member of the Community Mechanism, Avri being the notable
exception.
However, we have toned down the level of opposition to aspects of the
SMCM.
I was unable to revise the human rights part of the comments. This is
because my opinion seems to be the outlier, and I am not sure I understand
what others are advocating well enough to pick up the pen and write
something that we can all agree on. So I invite those who have commented
(Matt, Tamir, Farzy, Carlos Raul) and others to make their own proposed
modifications.
Take a look and tell us what you think
Dr. Milton L Mueller
Professor, School of Public Policy
Georgia Institute of Technology