[PC-NCSG] Fwd: Re: [council] RE: For Discussion: GNSO Letter to Akram Atallah re: ICANN Harassment Policy

[Edward Morris]

 Hi Kathy,
  
 This policy will be difficult to reconcile in countries that bar some of 
the behavior expressly supported in the policy. And ICANN holds meetings in 
such countries.
  
 That is certainly true.
  
 I noticed this rather interesting news item earlier this week:
  
 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3534495/US-woman-jailed-insulting-Un
ited-Arab-Emirates.html
  
 Might I suggest the problem is not the proposed policy but rather the 
locations ICANN choses to hold meetings at. 
  
 From the linked story:
  
  "Unlike in many Western countries, defamation is treated in the UAE as a 
criminal rather than a civil matter. 
 Insulting the UAE's leaders, or the country itself, can carry a prison 
sentence and steep fines."

ICANN is scheduled to meet in the UAE in June 2017.
  
 It appears that  in the UAE our commitment to free speech, as well, will 
be difficult to reconcile with the laws of certain countries. Yet, 
countries have adapted in the past. In Beijing we were actually provided 
with uncensored internet. You might have noticed the large number of 
Chinese students in the lobby availing themselves of this rare 
opportunity.
  
 ICANN has apparently adopted a de facto policy against holding meetings in 
cities where the zika virus is active. This disenfranchises at the moment 
most of South and Central America. Might I suggest a policy of not holding 
meetings in countries where women or our LGBT brothers and sisters are 
treated as less than equal would not be out of order? If the Board choses 
to meet in such places the host government should be required to make the 
same type of concessions in these areas as the Chinese government did in 
2013. If they don't, well, ICANN can hold a meeting but they can't force 
anyone to attend.
  
 Best,
  
 Ed

  
  
  
   


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