IGF 2010, 14-17 September 2010, Vilnius (Lithuania)

Workshop: A proposal for setting a standard of care in international
law for cross-border Internet

Council of Europe expert work group presents proposal for setting a standard for protecting critical Internet resources

 

 

[14/09/2010] The Council of Europe expert group on cross-border Internet presented its analysis and proposal for setting an international legal standard on the protection of resources that are critical for the functioning of the Internet. The aim of this standard would be to ensure everyone’s access to Internet content and exercise of freedom of expression on the Internet regardless of frontiers by having in place a variety of forms of international co-operation such as exchange of information, consultation and mutual assistance.
 
Participants in the workshop agreed on the principles of Internet governance that were proposed by the Council of Europe expert group since they reflect at large the understanding in different parts of the world. They also pointed out that co-ordination, co-operation and common denomination on the protection of Internet resources should be agreed not only at a regional but also at a global level.
 
The issue of shared responsibilities of states with respect to the protection of critical Internet resources, they said, should be considered in the light of increased technical input on issues such network neutrality as well as in consultation with the private sector and civil society.
 
In the opening of the workshop the Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Maud de Boer-Buquicchio, underlined the role that the organisation has played in making international law and in developing international co-operation platforms for the protection of human rights. In that respect, she said that the Council of Europe has been laying the groundwork for the governance of the Internet for more than 60 years.

- IGF website
- Speech by Maud de Boer-Buquicchio
- Video of the speech
- Transcript