[WSIS CS-Plenary] Should Canada go to Wsis 2 in Tunis?

[Ronald Koven]

Dear All --

Liss Jeffey should be aware that there has been a great deal of thought,
discussion and activity surrounding the problem of free speech/press
freedom in Tunisia.

The Canadian-based IFEX network has coordinated two high-profile missions
to Tunis by free speech/press freedom groups that have been active in WSIS.

This resulted in a report very critical of the Tunisian government's
record. It was presented at the last WSIS Prepcom, despite obstacles
created by the WSIS Secretariat. There have been very strong protests by
the Tunisian government, which has clearly indicated that it recognizes
that, at the very least, it has a major public relations problem.

Other groups have also produced statements and reports.

A large number of press freedom advocacy groups -- notably the nine members
of the Coordinating Committee of Press Freedom Organizations, both
individually and collectively --  have called for a change of venue of WSIS
II from Tunis if Tunisian freedom of expression policy is not changed. But
they have refrained from calling for a boycott if the UN system persists in
its plan to hold WSIS II in Tunisia.

UN spokesmen have stressed that there can be no change because holding WSIS
II in Tunis was mandated by the UN General Assembly.

The leading Tunisian freedom of expression NGOs have urged their foreign
counterparts to support them by continuing their pressures on the Tunisian
government and by attending WSIS II, viewing it as an opportunity to press
the Tunisian government to change its repressive policies. 

It is indeed accurate to say that there has been limited attention to this
situation in the mainstream general news media. But, as WSIS approaches in
November, this could and should change, thanks to the work of all those so
heavily involved.

Best regards,

Rony Koven, World Press Freedom Committee