[WSIS CS-Plenary] RE: Civil Society Draft Priorities Document

[Sasha Costanza-Chock]

Suggested Changes to document (sent earlier this week to ct but I forgot to
post to plenary):

1. To add to 'information security issues':

-change the first paragraph to read:

"Existing policies on information security often impinge unnecessarily upon
the rights of individuals and communities, and may be technologically and
economically problematic.  The Declaration should contain, as a statement of
principle, that the concern for 'information security' should in no way be
allowed to override human rights, including the rights to free speech,
assembly, and privacy. The Declaration should state that the informed
involvement of all stakeholders is an essential component to the development
of any 'information security' policy at the local, national, and or
international levels."

-add the following paragraphs:

"We support the intervention of the European Parliament Committee on
Industry, External Trade, Research, and Energy on the proposal for a Council
Framework Decision on attacks against information systems, which insists
upon an approach that would "establish a clear distinction between, on the
one hand, forms of 'on-line' political activity, civil disobedience,
demonstrations and activities of little or no consequence (some of which
might be covered by the term 'hacking') and, on the other hand . . . violent
action directed ... against physical persons." (PA\474190EN.doc). This
distinction is critical to the development of an 'information security'
regime that is consistent with human rights, and should be made in the WSIS
Declaration and Action Plan. 

"The WSIS should also recognize that one of the greatest threats to
'information security' lies in the militarization of information space,
including the development and deployment of 'infowar' technologies and
techniques; the deployment of military software or hardware against civilian
communications systems; the domination of the satellite orbits for military
purposes; and the purposeful destruction of civilian communication systems
during conflicts in violation of international law. The WSIS should
encourage the foundations for a future Convention against Information
Warfare to address these concerns."

2. To add to the end of the first paragraph in the 'access' section:

"Policies should be implemented, monitored, and judged based on the degree
to which they advance the long-term goal of universal access. Short-term
expansion of access to the urban wealthy, that in some cases comes in the
wake of privatization, should be recognized as such and should not be
regarded uncritically. Instead, analysis of policies must be conducted in
light of the long-term goal of universal access."

3. Change the paragraph on 'Open Source' to read:
"Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) that enables access and the
development of capacity should be an essential component of all
communications roll out plans. Governments should be encouraged to adopt
FLOSS as far as possible, since the use of proprietary software by
governments is both economically unsustainable and compromising in terms of
transparency and security."




Sasha Costanza-Chock

Annenberg School for Communication
University of Pennsylvania
215.573.1979
schock at asc.upenn.edu