IP: U.N. conference on "hate sites" on the Internet

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

Date: Tue, 11 Nov 1997 22:10:04 -0500
From: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
Subject: U.N. conference on "hate sites" on the Internet
Reply-To: Declan McCullagh <declan () well com>
X-Loop: cypherpunks () cyberpass net


[I've attached the conference agenda below. --Declan]


*************


Experts tell U.N. conference 'hate' sites on Internet may be here to
stay


Reuters


GENEVA (November 11, 1997 2:47 p.m. EST http://www.nando.net) -
Internet hate sites, such as one urging "Aryan brothers and sisters
... to combat racially inferior
parasites," are unlikely to be stamped out because this would limit
freedom of speech, experts said Tuesday.


The need to respect free speech, as well as the sheer size of the
task, emerged at a United Nations seminar as the two main obstacles
to eradicating such material.


The issue has become more pressing as the number of online hate sites
soars and racism, neo-Nazism and anti-Semitism, find new niches on
the Internet, speakers at the meeting said.


But there is no easy answer to the question: who decides what is
offensive on the Internet?


"In Europe, it would be racist to say, 'I don't like Arabs.' In the
United States, we can say 'I don't like Arabs, I don't like pink
people.' Under freedom of expression, it's not against the law," said
Debra Guzman, executive director of the U.S.-based Human Rights
Information Network.


"You can't ban this in the United States," she told a news
conference.


One problem is that Internet technology itself cannot distinguish
between the offensive and the non-offensive, said Eric Lee, public
policy director at the U.S. Commercial Internet Exchange.


[...]




*************


=A0=A0=A0=A0 Dear Madam/Sir,


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 I have the honour to inform you that within the=
 framework of the
=A0=A0=A0=A0 implementation of the Programme of Action for the Third Decade=
 to
=A0=A0=A0=A0 Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, in pursuance of=
 General
=A0=A0=A0=A0 Assembly resolution 51/81, the High Commissioner for Human=
 Rights will
=A0=A0=A0=A0 organize a seminar on "The role of Internet with regard to the
=A0=A0=A0=A0 provisions of the International Convention on the Elimination=
 of all
=A0=A0=A0=A0 Forms of=A0 Racial Discrimination".


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 The purpose of the Seminar which will take place in=
 Geneva from 10
=A0=A0=A0=A0 to 14 November 1997 and bring together experts on the subject=
 matter,
=A0=A0=A0=A0 representatives of governments, Internet Service Providers, and
=A0=A0=A0=A0 representatives of non-governmental organizations, is to find=
 ways and
=A0=A0=A0=A0 means to ensure a responsible use of the Internet in the light=
 of the
=A0=A0=A0=A0 International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of=
 Racial
=A0=A0=A0=A0 Discrimination.




=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 The draft agenda of the meeting reads as follows:


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (a)=A0=A0=A0=A0 Racism and=
 Racial Discrimination on Internet


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (b)=A0=A0=A0=A0 Technical Aspects of screening racist=
 propaganda on
=A0=A0=A0=A0 Internet:
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 1.=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 National=
 Measures
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 2.=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 International Measures


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (c)=A0=A0=A0=A0 Prohibition of racist propaganda on=
 the Internet. Juridical
=A0=A0=A0=A0 Aspects:
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 1.=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 National=
 Measures
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 2.=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 International Measures


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (d)=A0=A0=A0=A0 Elements for an eventual Code of=
 Conduct and good practice
=A0=A0=A0=A0 for displaying material on Internet


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (e)=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 Recommendations.


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0 /...
=A0=A0=A0=A0 #012#


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 I am very pleased, on behalf of the Secretary-General,=
 to invite
=A0=A0=A0=A0 your Organization to send an observer to the seminar. In order=
 that
=A0=A0=A0=A0 the necessary arrangements concerning conference facilities may=
 be
=A0=A0=A0=A0 made in advance,=A0 I would be grateful to receive his or her=
 name by 30
=A0=A0=A0=A0 October 1997 at the latest. Under existing arrangements, your
=A0=A0=A0=A0 Organization would be expected to bear the costs of its
=A0=A0=A0=A0 representative.


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 I am=
 attaching to this letter, for your
=A0=A0=A0=A0 convenience, a briefing note relating to the seminar.


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Yours sincerely,














=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 John Pace


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Chief
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Research and Right to
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Development Branch
















=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 ______________________________________________________________________


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAMME OF ACTION
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 FOR THE THIRD DECADE TO COMBAT RACISM
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 AND RACIAL DISCRIMINATION






=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 SEMINAR ON THE ROLE OF INTERNET WITH REGARD TO THE=
 PROVISIONS
=A0=A0=A0=A0 OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON THE ELIMINATION
=A0=A0=A0=A0 OF ALL FORMS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION




=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Geneva, Palais des Nations
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 10-14 November 1997






=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 PROVISIONAL AGENDA








=A0=A0=A0=A0 Monday 10 November


=A0=A0=A0=A0 Morning


10:00 - 13:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Opening of the Seminar


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Welcome address by High Commissioner for
Human
Rights
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Election of the Bureau (Chairperson,
Vice-Chairperson, Rapporteur)
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Adoption of the agenda
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Organisation of work


Afternoon=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Working session I


15:00 - 18:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Item I: Racism and Racial=
 Discrimination on Internet


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Keynote address by Ms. Debra Guzman,
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Executive Director
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 The Human Rights Information Network
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 General discussion
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusion
#012#


Tuesday 11 November


Morning=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Working session II.a


10:00 - 13:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Item II: Technical Aspects of=
 screening racist
propaganda on Internet: National measures


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Keynote address by Mr. Timothy L. Jenkins,
Chairman of Unlimited Visions
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 General discussion
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusion


Afternoon=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Working session II.b


15:00 - 18:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Item III: Technical Aspects of=
 screening racist
propaganda on=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Internet: international measures


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Keynote address by Mr. Eric Lee,
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Commercial Internet Exchange
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 General discussion
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusion




Wednesday 12 November


Morning=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Working session III.a


10:00 -13:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Item IV: Prohibition of Racist=
 Propaganda on the
Internet: Juridical Aspects, National Measures


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Keynote address by an expert of the
Department
of Justice, USA
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 General discussion
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusion


Afternoon=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Working session III.b


15:00 - 18:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Item V: Prohibition of Racist=
 Propaganda on the
Internet: Juridical Aspects, International Measures


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Keynote address by Mr. Agha Shahi, member
of the
Commitee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 General discussion
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusion


#012#
Thursday 13 November


Morning=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Working session IV.a


10:00 - 13:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Item VI: Elements for an=
 eventual Code of Conduct and
good practice for displaying material on Internet


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Keynotes address by:
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Ms. Maya Sooka, Association for
Progressive Communication, Johannesburg
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 General Discussion
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusion


Afternoon=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Working session IV.b


15:00 - 18:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Item VI: Elements for an=
 eventual Code of Conduct and
good practice for displaying material on Internet


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Keynotes address by:
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Mr. Tony Rutkowsky, former senior ITU
executive
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 General Discussion
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusion




Friday 14 November


Morning=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Free Time


Afternoon


15:00 - 18:00=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Conclusions and Recommendations


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 Closing of the Seminar


=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Statement of the Chairperson
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=
 -=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Final statement of the High Commissioner






=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 ------=20








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"Photons have neither morals nor visas"  --  Dave Farber 1994
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