[Chapter-delegates] The Internet and Human Rights

[David Solomonoff]

The Arab Spring has come to the US, specifically to downtown NYC, the 
hub of international finance:

http://nycga.cc/2011/09/25/day-8-recap/

As the protests slowly grow in size, the police response becomes more 
brutal. The protesters are technically sophisticated but still dependent 
on "free" services like Facebook, Twitter and Yahoo mail that are 
insecure and unreliable.

Can we help them - or is this too politically risky for ISOC?

David

On 9/25/11 10:36 AM, Cynthia D. Waddell, Juris Doctor wrote:
> Dear Marcus,
> Perhaps it might be helpful to offer an observation along these lines
> regarding one of the newest international instruments created during this
> millennium.  These issues involving the Internet and Human Rights are also
> of great concern for individuals with disabilities.  In fact, we
> explicitly  referenced the Internet in Article 9:Accessibility of the UN
> Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
>
> This Treaty did not create any new human rights because it recognized the
> Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenants on
> Human Rights.  In fact, the purpose of the Convention is to "promote,
> protect, and ensure the full and equal enjoyment  of all human rights and
> fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities, and to promote
> respect for their inherent dignity."  Article 1.
>
> That said, the Convention contains many references as to the role of ICT
> in providing accessibility.  From our perspective, Internet accessibility
> involves at least three components: availability, affordability and
> accessible design (also known as Universal Design).
>
> ISOC's public policy approach also has relevance to those of us assisting
> governments in implementing the Internet accessibility provisions of the
> Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.  Thank you for
> keeping us appraised of ISOC's public policy participation.
>
> The Dynamic Coalition on Accessibility and Disability (DCAD) continues to
> be active at the Internet Governance Forum and we will be speaking on
> these issues here in Nairobi.
>
> Best regards,
> Cynthia Waddell
> IGF DCAD Member
> ISOC Disability&  Special Needs Chapter
>


-- 
David Solomonoff, President
Internet Society of New York
president at isoc-ny.org
isoc-ny.org