We thank the Secretariat of the ITU for making the opportunity to submit our views.
Nevertheless, the process of the revision of the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) has not been sufficiently inclusive and transparent, despite some recent efforts to facilitate public participation. Fundamental to the framing of public policy must be the pursuit of the public interest and fundamental human rights, and we urge Member States to uphold and protect these values.
We as civil society organizations wish to engage with the World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT) process in this spirit. Member States, in most cases, have not held open, broad-based, public consultations in the lead up to the WCIT, nor have they indicated such a process for the WCIT itself.
In order to address this deficiency, and at a minimum, we would urge:
Given the uncertainty about the nature of final proposals that will be presented, we urge delegates that the following criteria be applied to any proposed revisions of the ITRs:
More generally we call upon the ITU to promote principles of net neutrality, open standards, affordable access and universal service, and effective competition.
To endorse this statement, add your name as a comment below.
I strongly agree and endorse this statement for better outcomes out of WCIT and ITRs ammendments.
Digitale Gesellschaft e.V., Berlin, Germany, endorses this statement.
Software Freedom Law Center, India endorses this statement.
The Internet Rights and Principles Coalition is delighted to endorse this strong and balanced statement.
To Member States and Government Delegations of the International Telecommunication Union:
In the interests of promoting and protecting global Internet openness and the exercise of human rights online, I write to urge International Telecommunication Union (ITU) member states and their delegates to the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) to refrain from expanding the scope of the International Telecommunication Regulations (ITRs) treaty to include the Internet.
I call on member states to:
Hold a transparent, inclusive preparatory process for the WCIT that is open to all relevant stakeholders. I ask that governments:
Publicly release WCIT proposals and position papers, documents from regional meetings they have participated in, and documents issued by other member states.
Hold open, public consultations on the WCIT so that delegates may fully consider the interests of citizens as well as those of business and government.
Inform citizens of the positions member states intend to take at the WCIT on key proposals made by other governments.
Oppose expansion of the International Telecommunication Regulations to the Internet. I ask that delegates:
Rigorously examine proposals for their impact on human rights, Internet openness, innovation, and ICT access and development.
Oppose proposals that would diminish the rights of users or limit Internet openness.
An open Internet is important for freedom and the right to express everyones opinions!
Yes, I endorse this.
I whole-heartedly endorse the need to keep the Internet Free and Open without UN Controls for Light and Love.
Keep the internet free, open, and multi-stakeholder
Támogatom, hogy maradjon az internet szabad, és független a vélemény nyilvánítás joga mindenkit megillessen.
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The Open Technology Institute (United States of America) endorses this statement.