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

[Ralf Bendrath]

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.