[WSIS CS-Plenary] Requests/demands for CS participation in Tunis phase

[Sasha Costanza-Chock]

Dear friends,

It seems to me that the question we should be asking is not whether a 
handful of visitors from international NGOs and the UN feel the effects 
of surveillance, censorship, or repression when visiting Tunis for a few 
days, but rather, whether the Tunisian people in general live under 
these conditions on a day to day level.

There seems to be fairly extensive evidence that the internet, as well 
as other media, in Tunisia are subject to systematic monitoring, 
censorship, and state repression, including the blocking of sites and 
the imprisonment of dissidents.

Should our response be to immediately withdraw from the process and shun 
Tunis? No. That would be missing the serious opportunity that we are 
presented with to forge greater ties with African civil society.

Should our response be to ignore the situation? Of course not. That 
would violate our principles and be an abrogation of responsibility in a 
situation that we might leverage to create some small degree of change.

Doesn't it make sense for a subgroup from the CS Plenary to immediately 
consult with our friends in Tunisian civil society and begin drafting a 
short, pointed statement that makes clear, basic demands on the Tunisian 
government if they wish for the successful participation of CS?

I imagine that such demands would include, at a minimum,

1. Release prisoners who have been incarcerated for exercising free 
speech, on the internet or in other media,

2. Lift censorship of the internet, and allow access to currently 
blocked domains including human rights organizations,

etc.

If we can agree on demands early on, it will be easier to create 
steadily escalating pressure for compliance as the next phase of the 
WSIS process unfolds.

Is there a group of people that is interested in creating a first draft? 
Can it be done in coordination with the Tunisian groups that have 
already been organizing in this direction? Perhaps our friends at World 
Press Freedom Committee, Article 19, EPIC, Amnesty, and other related 
groups could participate?

Sasha Costanza-Chock