<div>Hey Seun,</div><div><br></div><div>Enjoy your time in Abu Dhabi but be aware that some people who are not priviledged enough or who don't have the same backgrounds and same work focus won't be able to enjoy it as you will. Point being, it might be safe to be there, however we cannot deny the underlying censorship or suveillance and targetting of human rights defenders from that region, thus their inability to participate, as mentioned earlier.</div><div><br></div><div>Best,</div><div><br></div><div>Elsa</div><div>--</div><div><div class="gmail_quote"><div>On Sun, Jul 2, 2017 at 3:44 PM Seun Ojedeji <<a href="mailto:seun.ojedeji@gmail.com">seun.ojedeji@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div>You will be surprised, Abu Dhabi may become the best ICANN meeting ever! things may not be as scary as they are made to look/sound like; Almost every foreigner who visits my dear country Nigeria after hearing all the scary stuff gives a positive feedback. ;-)<div><br></div><div>Regards</div><div>PS: For anyone involved in RIR related stuff, next AFRINIC meeting will be holding in Nigeria (Lagos) sometime in November. Looking to see some of you there.</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Jul 2, 2017 1:10 PM, "Kris Seeburn" <<a href="mailto:seeburn.k@gmail.com" target="_blank">seeburn.k@gmail.com</a>> wrote:<br type="attribution"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex"><div style="word-wrap:break-word"><div>This makes logical sense. Wonder why we are forcing this location at this time.</div><br><div><blockquote type="cite"><div>On Jul 2, 2017, at 3:44 PM, Stephanie Perrin <<a href="mailto:stephanie.perrin@MAIL.UTORONTO.CA" target="_blank">stephanie.perrin@MAIL.UTORONTO.CA</a>> wrote:</div><br class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679Apple-interchange-newline"><div>
<div text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF"><p><font size="+1"><font face="Lucida Grande">I am behind on this
thread. Lots of women and folks with LGBTQ concerns don't
want to go to Abu Dhabi. Has there been any thought of arranging
a satellite conference for those who don't want to /can't fly
to AD for safety, comfort, or visa reasons? I think we might
get quite a few participants in such a satellite conference,
and we could hold it somewhere safe and easy to get to, with
really good conferencing facilities. Just a thought.</font></font></p><p><font size="+1"><font face="Lucida Grande">Stephanie</font></font><br>
</p>
<br>
<div class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679moz-cite-prefix">On 2017-06-29 08:25, Michael
Karanicolas wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>Hi Sam,
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I don't think anyone is trying to question your commitment
to human rights - I'm certainly not.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>I don't know your CV in detail, but I can tell you mine
involves coordinating human rights advocacy projects in
Afghanistan, Palestine, Jordan, Indonesia, Myanmar,
Kazakhstan, Pakistan and the Maldives, among other high
pressure spots. I understand very well the
entitlement/privilege of which you speak, and I never forget
that at the end of the day, I get on a plane and fly out,
while the local activists are the ones who have to deal with
the fallout of the work. However, if we're talking about the
people that are on the front lines, we don't do them any
favours by staying silent. Indeed, often the best protection
they have is international publicity. I've had these
conversations a lot with people in high risk areas, and I
can't recall ever being told to dial things back, except where
that was part of a broader advocacy strategy (like, to protect
ongoing backchannel discussions). </div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>That said, I'm not proposing arranging special sessions to
discuss the country's human rights record, since this seems
quite tangential to what we're supposed to be engaging on as
part of the ICANN process. But I also don't think we should
commit to keeping silent on this issue as individuals and, if
the subject comes up, potentially as a stakeholder group.
Perhaps we don't disagree on that? In either case, I would
very much welcome inputs of colleagues that are in country, or
active across the region.</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Best,</div>
<div><br>
</div>
<div>Michael</div>
</div>
<div class="gmail_extra"><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 1:48 PM, Sam
Lanfranco <span><<a href="mailto:lanfran@yorku.ca" target="_blank">lanfran@yorku.ca</a>></span>
wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">
<div text="#000000" bgcolor="#FFFFFF">
<div class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-cite-prefix">James,<br>
<br>
Let me make it clear. My position is based on the risk
that in most cases "in country ICANN constituency human
rights activities" during conferences will put national
groups and peoples at risk.<br>
This is different, and separate from, more generic ICANN
discussions of the relationship between protecting human
rights and the security and stability of the DNS system
(ICANN's remit). <br>
<br>
As someone individually who has championed human rights
for over half a century, been tear gassed and shot at, I
am firmly in the camp of human rights activists.<br>
If the NCSG consensus position is to either treat such
activities as within ICANN's remit (some might challenge
that), or if delegates wish to arrange "rump sessions" <br>
dealing with country specific human issues, I would
press for prior full consultation and endorsement by the
local groups who would be engaged in the events.<br>
This would be more that just scheduling sessions and
inviting local groups to participate. <br>
<br>
My core concern is that ICANN constituency members
should not use their entitlement (temporary presence
under the ICANN banner) to put highly exposed local
activists at risk. <br>
<br>
Sam <br>
<div>
<div class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679h5"> <br>
On 6/29/2017 6:40 AM, James Gannon wrote:<br>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div>
<div class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679h5">
<div>
<div id="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259x_divtagdefaultwrapper" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Calibri,Helvetica,sans-serif"><p><br>
</p>
<div class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259x___TEE_Quote__" style="border-left:3px solid rgb(200,200,200);border-top-color:rgb(200,200,200);border-right-color:rgb(200,200,200);border-bottom-color:rgb(200,200,200);padding-left:10px;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-size:17px">
I <br>
would go so far as to recommend that for
countries with human rights <br>
issues, digital or otherwise, if and when
ICANN reaches what it <br>
considers as a satisfactory arrangement, there
is an understanding that <br>
during the event none of ICANN’s constituency
groups will publicly, or <br>
in collaboration with local groups, engage in
activities that challenge <br>
human rights record and policies of the local
government.</div>
<br>
Hey Sam,
<p>This would fly in the face of most if not the
vast majority of NCUCs mission and outreach,
these are the groups and peoples that we say
we are here to engage with and support and
advocate for. </p><p><br>
</p><p>-James</p>
</div>
<hr style="display:inline-block;width:98%">
<div id="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259x_divRplyFwdMsg"><font style="font-size:11pt" face="Calibri, sans-serif"><b>From:</b>
NCSG-Discuss <a class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU" target="_blank"><NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU></a>
on behalf of Sam Lanfranco <a class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-txt-link-rfc2396E" href="mailto:lanfran@YORKU.CA" target="_blank"><lanfran@YORKU.CA></a><br>
<b>Sent:</b> 28 June 2017 23:13:35<br>
<b>To:</b> <a class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU" target="_blank">NCSG-DISCUSS@LISTSERV.SYR.EDU</a><br>
<b>Subject:</b> Re: Requirements for
information about speakers and participants
for ICANN60 in Abu Dhabi</font>
<div> </div>
</div>
</div>
<font size="2"><span style="font-size:10pt">
<div class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259PlainText">Constituency
Colleagues,<br>
<br>
The subject of human rights and, in
particular, the rights of digital <br>
citizenship in countries hosting ICANN
meetings, is both the elephant <br>
and the gorilla (the unspoken issues) in ICANN
Conference venue <br>
discussions. Without going into specifics, in
the past several years <br>
ICANN has held its conferences in countries
where, while ICANN was <br>
meeting, governments were exercising extreme
control over their <br>
citizenry’s access to the Internet and cell
phone service.<br>
<br>
What is absolutely clear is that ICANN should
have venue criteria that <br>
are sensitive to these issues, and these are
issues that should be <br>
raised in all ICANN venue selection
discussions.<br>
<br>
What is also absolutely clear is that such
issues should be raised and <br>
addressed prior to the selection of a venue.
The subsequent ICANN event <br>
should not be used as a platform for raising
country specific issues. I <br>
would go so far as to recommend that for
countries with human rights <br>
issues, digital or otherwise, if and when
ICANN reaches what it <br>
considers as a satisfactory arrangement, there
is an understanding that <br>
during the event none of ICANN’s constituency
groups will publicly, or <br>
in collaboration with local groups, engage in
activities that challenge <br>
human rights record and policies of the local
government.<br>
<br>
This is not because governments should not be
challenged on their <br>
record, and it is not because local groups
should not be supported. It <br>
is also not just because these issues should
be sorted out prior to <br>
venue selection. It is because delegates to
ICANN meetings are in a <br>
privileged position, and while public displays
would probably not put <br>
delegates at risk, they would put local
collaborators at risk, <br>
especially after ICANN has left the scene.<br>
<br>
Sam Lanfranco<br>
<br>
------------------------------------------------<br>
"It is a disgrace to be rich and honoured<br>
in an unjust state" -Confucius<br>
邦有道，贫且贱焉，耻也。邦无道，富且贵焉，耻也<br>
------------------------------------------------<br>
Dr Sam Lanfranco (Prof Emeritus & Senior
Scholar)<br>
Econ, York U., Toronto, Ontario, CANADA - M3J
1P3<br>
email: <a class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Lanfran@Yorku.ca" target="_blank">Lanfran@Yorku.ca</a>
Skype: slanfranco<br>
blog: <a href="https://samlanfranco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">https://samlanfranco.blogspot.com</a><br>
Phone: <a href="tel:+1%20613-476-0429" value="+16134760429" target="_blank">+1 613-476-0429</a>
cell: <a href="tel:+1%20416-816-2852" value="+14168162852" target="_blank">+1 416-816-2852</a><br>
</div>
</span></font> </div>
</div>
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<span class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"> </font></span></blockquote>
<span class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679HOEnZb"><font color="#888888"><p><br>
</p>
</font></span>
<pre class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-signature" cols="72"><span class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679HOEnZb"><font color="#888888">--
------------------------------------------------
"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: <a class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:Lanfran@Yorku.ca" target="_blank">Lanfran@Yorku.ca</a> Skype: slanfranco
blog: <a class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679m_-528063403635451259moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://samlanfranco.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">https://samlanfranco.blogspot.com</a></font></span><span>
Phone: <a href="tel:+1%20613-476-0429" value="+16134760429" target="_blank">+1 613-476-0429</a> cell: <a href="tel:+1%20416-816-2852" value="+14168162852" target="_blank">+1 416-816-2852</a></span></pre>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
<br>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
</div>
</div></blockquote></div><br><div>
<div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);letter-spacing:normal;text-align:start;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;word-spacing:0px;word-wrap:break-word"><div>Kris Seeburn</div><div><a href="mailto:seeburn.k@gmail.com" target="_blank">seeburn.k@gmail.com</a></div><div><ul style="margin:0px;padding:0px 0px 8px;border:0px;outline:0px;font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;vertical-align:baseline;list-style:none;line-height:17px;display:table-cell;width:504px;color:rgb(51,51,51)"><li style="margin:0px;padding:8px 12px 2px 0px;border:0px;outline:0px;font-style:inherit;font-size:11px;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;font-variant:inherit;line-height:1.2em"><dl class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679public-profile" style="margin:0px;padding:0px;border:0px;outline:0px;font-style:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:baseline;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;word-wrap:break-word"><dd style="margin:0px;padding:2px 9px 1px 0px;border:0px;outline:0px;font-style:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:top;font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;display:inline-block;zoom:1"><a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/kseeburn/" title="View public profile" name="m_8922114582114962658_m_-7480812034268687679_webProfileURL" style="margin:0px 10px 0px 0px;padding:0px 0px 0px 19px;border:0px;outline:0px;font-style:inherit;font-family:inherit;vertical-align:middle;text-decoration:none;color:rgb(102,102,102);font-variant:inherit;line-height:inherit;display:inline-block;zoom:1;background-image:url(http://s.c.lnkd.licdn.com/scds/common/u/images/apps/profile/sprite/sprite_profile_top_card_v8.png);background-position:0px -249px;background-repeat:no-repeat no-repeat" target="_blank">www.linkedin.com/in/kseeburn/</a></dd></dl></li></ul></div><div><br></div></div><br class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679Apple-interchange-newline"><br class="m_8922114582114962658m_-7480812034268687679Apple-interchange-newline">
</div>
<br></div></blockquote></div></div>
</blockquote></div></div><div dir="ltr">-- <br></div><div data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr">--<br><br>Elsa Saade<br>Human Rights Officer<br>Gulf Center for Human Rights<br>Beirut, Lebanon<br></div></div></div></div>