IGF 2012 Workshop Proposal :: (No: 89) Civil rights in the digital age, about the impact the Internet has on civil rights

Status:

IGF Theme(s) for workshop: Security, Openness and Privacy

Main theme question address by workshop: Question 3: What risks do law enforcement, information suppression and surveillance have on security, privacy and openness

Concise description of the proposed workshop:

The freedom of internet is increasingly causing heated debate . On the one hand the internet is the embodiment of freedom literally crossing all borders, on the other hand governments more and more think of curtailing e.g. social media when these are used to organize criminal activities. Governments in some countries restrict access to the internet or censor information even before their citizens go online. As a matter of fact the internet in Iran and China has already become an ‘intranet’. But also in the UK there is a growing body of public opinion that is in favor of more supervision of social media. When will the influence of this medium have become so strong that it, in certain situations, could be considered a danger to society? Will supervision then be a solution?
Unique is the research carried out by D66-member of the European Parliament Marietje Schaake into internet freedom all over the world. The research should lead to a resolution on civil rights in our digital era. The report is expected to be finished sometime around the IGF in November. Subjects treated are trade, human rights, development, safety and the like. The report will contain a number of concrete suggestions both for businesses and for governments, so as on the one hand to expand opportunities with the help of technology, but also to limit possible risks.

Background Paper:

 

Name of the organiser(s) of the workshop and their affiliation to various stakeholder groups:

ECP on behalf of the IGF-NL (ECP-EPN | Platform for the Information Society wants to take barriers for the implementation and acceptance of ICT away to the benefit of our economy and society, and in order to strengthen our international competitive position. In addition, ECP-EPN (also at a political-governmental level) draws attention to a number of specific themes such as growth of productivity, strengthening of competitiveness and the European Digital Agenda. One of it programs is the public-private partnership NL IGF. NL IGF prepairs for the IGF and provides good embedding of the results of the IGF in national policy)
Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture & innovation
Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Hivos, the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation

Have you, or any of your co-organisers, organised an IGF workshop before?: Yes

Please provide link(s) to workshop(s) or report(s):

 

Provide the names and affiliations of the panellists you are planning to invite:

  • Marietje Schaake (Euro parliamentarian D66)
  • Lionel Veer (Dutch Human Rights Ambassador)
  • Hanane Boujemi (Diplo Foundation and upward of July 1st she will work for Hivos on it’s program 'Internet Govenance for the Mena region'.)
  • Two Dutch Students (both male and female)
  • We expect there to be parliamentarians from other countries.
  • Other participants in the debate will be identified in the organizing process, but with particular attention to geographical coverage, important for developing an effective rapport.

 

Name of Remote Moderator(s):

Sophie Veraart, NL IGF – ECP