Requirements for information about speakers and participants for ICANN60 in Abu Dhabi

[Sam Lanfranco]

James,

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.
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).

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.
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"
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.
This would be more that just scheduling sessions and inviting local 
groups to participate.

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.

Sam

On 6/29/2017 6:40 AM, James Gannon wrote:
>
>
> 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.
>
> Hey Sam,
>
> 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.
>
>
> -James
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------------------
> *From:* NCSG-Discuss <NCSG-DISCUSS at LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> on behalf of Sam 
> Lanfranco <lanfran at YORKU.CA>
> *Sent:* 28 June 2017 23:13:35
> *To:* NCSG-DISCUSS at LISTSERV.SYR.EDU
> *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
>
> ------------------------------------------------
> "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: Lanfran at Yorku.ca   Skype: slanfranco
> blog: https://samlanfranco.blogspot.com
> Phone: +1 613-476-0429 cell: +1 416-816-2852
>
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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: Lanfran at Yorku.ca   Skype: slanfranco
blog:  https://samlanfranco.blogspot.com
Phone: +1 613-476-0429 cell: +1 416-816-2852

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