[WSIS CS-Plenary] Notes on Sub-cttee B, 15 Nov, 1200-1445

[Rik Panganiban]

WSIS Resumed Prepcom III

Sub-Committee B

15 November 2005, 1200-1445 hours

Notes by Rik Panganiban, CONGO



Summary:  Sub-committee B met for what was to be the final meeting of  
the sub-committee, with final agreements on texts related to human  
rights references and to follow-up mechanisms still remaining to be  
decided upon.  While progress was achieved on some paragraphs, in  
general contentious issues in Para 4 and 5 of DT12 and Paras 23-30 on  
follow-up in DT26 were not resolved and the sub-groups were asked to  
meet again and report back at 1600 hours.


Notes on specific paragraphs:

Para 1 of DT12

Chair : para 1 split into two parts. Para 3 and alt 3 deleted.

Para 9 (DT12) “role of governments and other stakeholders”

Change “leading role” to “key role” of government.  Agreed.

Para 18 (DT26) on MSPs
Saudi Arabia: replace “may” with “could” Agreed.

Para 19 (DT26) on PPPs
Egypt: deleted reference to “national experience”
Agreed.

Para 4 and 5 (DT12) on human rights
Debate on reformulated para 4 from Norway and Iran sub-group.

EU and Canada has problem with “These rights and freedoms may in no  
case be exercised contrary to the purposes and principles of the  
United Nations.”

US requests deletion of this section.

Morocco and EU has problem with 4C “We recall and recongnize that the  
freedom of expression carries with it duties and responsibilties, in  
conformity with national legislation and applicable international law.”

Ghana and Saudi Arabia amend 3A to switch “key” with “beneficial to  
development”

The EU proposes to delete text on “national legislation” and refer  
just to “Geneva declaration of principles.”  Arab group and others  
want it in.

EU: Let’s delete the whole thing except reference to Geneva  
Declaration of Principles.

Chair: Let’s give it back to the small group.  Come back to us by 4pm  
today.

Para 11 N of DT26 on “plurality of the media”
Chair: refer back to group.

Para 23-30 on Coordination of Follow-up in DT26

Canada and Russian Federation report that much of the text remains in  
brackets
“Chaired by ITU” text remains.
Chair: Let’s close and give group time to meet some more and report  
back at 4pm.

Norway and Iran will coordinate a meeting on Paras 4, 5 and 11N in  
Room Sidi Boussaid from 1500-1600 hours.

The meeting was adjourned.

  Please see http://www.ngocongo.org/ngomeet/WSIS/Prepcom3b/ 
prepcom3reports.htm for reports from other meetings of Prepcom III.




===============================================
RIK PANGANIBAN       Communications Coordinator
Conference of NGOs in Consultative Relationship with the United  
Nations (CONGO)
web: http://www.ngocongo.org
email: rik.panganiban at ngocongo.org
mobile: (+1) 917-710-5524

* Information on the WSIS at http://www.ngocongo.org/wsis
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