The Internet should be an open space where the rights of users’ are maximised while the restrictions are minimised, said Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General, at the opening of the 6th Internet Governance Forum (IGF), which the United Nations is organizing in Nairobi from 27 to 30 September. Internet governance policy should focus on people and on rights, she added. As a result of this, as part of its long-term strategy the Council of Europe is considering drafting a charter of rights for Internet users. .

The Council of Europe is presenting at the IGF a set of 10 Internet governance principles recently adopted by its Committee of Ministers, together with a number of recommendations and declarations aimed at protecting freedom of expression online and the free flow of information on the Internet. During the IGF the Council of Europe is organising four workshops and an open forum, and is supporting a session on the European Dialogue on Internet Governance (EuroDIG). It is also contributing to other sessions with several panellists and moderators. (more...)