[WSIS CS-Plenary] ALERT: new "terrorist" paragraph 50bis introduced

[Richard Vincent]

Dear Ralf, et al.:

As a U.S. citizen, I am extremely concerned with a "terrorism" clause in this draft.  We already have seen major attacks on civil liberties in the United States under the rubric of "Homeland 'Security'".  Today, U.S. citizens and visitors both enjoy far less freedom than they did prior to 9/11, and many Americans are not convinced these changes are for the better.  It appears that the term "terrorism" has become a front for anyone who simply espouses stronger control of the public.  Terrorism is also an acknowledged reason the United States has announced it would indefinitely retain oversight of the main computers that control traffic on the Internet according to its 30 June 2005 announcement.  This was a clear rebuff on WSIS and UN efforts seeking to address Internet governance and issues of oversight of root servers.  It is also unclear as to whether such a stance is being motivated by security concerns or instead by market motives.

I believe we must stand up and oppose the inclusion of any language that would stand in opposition to free communication flows through the Internet.  Whether such moves are based on security concerns, moral grounds, or some other expressed political or social agenda, I believe a restriction of the Internet is simply wrong.  It is essential that we fight such actions whenever it arises.  This is not, in my opinion, an area where the concept of negative freedoms should be employed to restrict Internet users and/or Internet content.

Rick Vincent


Dr. Richard C. Vincent
Professor 
Department of Communication
Indiana State University
Terre Haute, IN 47809
U.S.A.

email: rvincent at indstate.edu
telephone: +1 812 237-3246
fax: +1 812 237-3217
>>> westasiaregion at hotmail.com 09/28/05 11:44 AM >>>
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Dear Ralf,

As we discussed before with you, and as a represnetiave from a region which 
is being the first victim of terrorism in the world, let me raise my own 
concern that in principle if there is any note to terrorism in the 
documents, this is good, but our concern should be how they will interpret 
it later on to limit freedom of expression in the name of terrorism. But in 
principle we support reference to misuse of internet for terrorism, but we 
leave to you as experts of how you wish to refer to it in your statement. I 
should say, that many groups (including NGOs) in middle east region may 
support this new para.

Regards
Amir


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Ralf Bendrath" <bendrath at zedat.fu-berlin.de>
To: "wsis-cs-plenary" <plenary at wsis-cs.org>; "WSIS Internet Governance 
Caucus" <governance at lists.cpsr.org>
Sent: Wednesday, September 28, 2005 6:09 PM
Subject: [WSIS CS-Plenary] ALERT: new "terrorist" paragraph 50bis introduced


> [Please note that by using 'REPLY', your response goes to the entire list. 
> Kindly use individual addresses for responses intended for specific 
> people]
>
> Click http://wsis.funredes.org/plenary/ to access automatic translation of 
> this message!
> _______________________________________
>
> Hi all,
>
> a disturbing development occured this afternoon:
>
> In the working group chaired by Canada from 13:30-15:00, Isreael at the 
> very end introduced a new paragraph proposal (50bis). Other delegations 
> said they have to consult before discussing it, and they will discuss
> it this evening, I think. The paragraph reads:
>
> "New 50bis. We underline the importance of countering the manifestations
> of terrorism at all its forms in the Internet. In particular, we condemn
> the use of the internet for purposes of financing of terrorist acts,
> radicalization towards terrorist acts, recruitment for terrorist acts, and
> glorification of terrorist acts that may incite further terrorist acts."
>
> The Privacy & Security Working Group and the Human Rights Caucus will 
> issue a statement this evening. But in the meantime, talk to your 
> delegations and tell them we don't like this at all.
>
> As much as we hate terrorism - formulations like "glorification" etc. are 
> way too ambigous and vague and may easily lead to restrictions of freedom 
> of speech.
>
> Best, Ralf
>
> PS: The drafting group was open to observers for the whole time, but I did 
> not ask for the
> floor.
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