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

[Michael Karanicolas]

Hi Sam,

I don't think anyone is trying to question your commitment to human rights
- I'm certainly not.

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).

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.

Best,

Michael

On Thu, Jun 29, 2017 at 1:48 PM, Sam Lanfranco <lanfran at yorku.ca> wrote:

> 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>
> <NCSG-DISCUSS at LISTSERV.SYR.EDU> on behalf of Sam Lanfranco
> <lanfran at YORKU.CA> <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 <+1%20613-476-0429> cell: +1 416-816-2852
> <+1%20416-816-2852>
>
>
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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 <+1%20613-476-0429> cell: +1 416-816-2852 <+1%20416-816-2852>
>
>
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