Author Archives Mohamed El Dahshan

“Opportunity for All” – enlarging the conversation table for Growth and Employment in MENA

#OXCONontheRoad  – Marrakesh, 31 January 2018

 

A team from OXCON was invited to participate in the IMF’s “Opportunity for All” Conference in Marrakesh, Morocco, on growth and employment in the Arab World, on 29-30 January 2018.

 

OXCON was tasked with hosting and moderating a very lively Innovation Lab – during which we managed discussions and roundtables that were directed to find innovative and actionable solutions on using “Technology for growth and employment” – before inviting participants to vote for the most promising idea.
And in case you’re curious – the most popular idea was one entitled “EmpowerNET”, which, in a bid to address the dual problem of infrastructure and cost of internet access in relatively poorer areas, would see governments cooperate with the private sector to set up free public internet hotspots. A key innovation wouls be the development of incentives for companies to finance this initiative.

Credits: Ryan Rayburn/IMF Photo, CC.

Beyond this panel, the conference was an excellent discussion forum – both in session and outside – to engage active players in the MENA region on growth problematics. We particularly noted an emphasis in the discourse on rural communities – a long overdue and welcome change.

  Mohamed El Dahshan   Jan 31, 2018   OXCON on the road   0 Comment Read More

From Delhi – Colonial ties for development?

#OXCONonTheRoad – New Delhi, 19 January 2018
Raisina 2018 | Women in Foreign and Security Policy | Center for a New  American Security (en-US)
Namaste from Delhi’s foremost public policy forum, the Raisina Dialogue – a true “Indian Davos” attracting the highest levels of policymakers and analysts working or interested in the South Asian region, and held under the auspices of Indian PM Narendra Modi, who opened the conference, withe Benjamin Netanyahu as guest of honour.
One highlight was discussions around the value of such networks as the Commonwealth – “52 vastly diverse countries – diverse geographically, politically, economically, and culturally – tied together by a shared history, the prevalent use of the English language, and a common legal system”, to quote Manoj Ladwa, who moderated a session on “Re-imagining the Commonwealth for the 21st Century“. This loose network however represents a reservoir of knowledge for information sharing, and a ready diverse market.
It is particularly interesting since six Commonwealth members are fragile states – and an additional three (Sudan, South Sudan, and Somaliland) as prospective members [with Zimbabwe and the Gambia having withdrawn][1]. How can they leverage this network for their development? Can issues of fragility and post-conflict development be brought to the agenda of the Commonwealth Secretariat?
[1] A conversation about the impact of British colonialism on state development might be in order… but for a later time!
  Mohamed El Dahshan   Jan 19, 2018   OXCON on the road   0 Comment Read More

KeepItOn coalition letter to the national electoral coalition and government of Somaliland

OXCON has joined a number of other organisations in the #KeepItOn coalition in sending a letter to the Somaliland authorities and presidential candidates, expressing concern regarding the internet shutdown during the elections. The full text of the letter can be found below, and a downloadable PDF here.

To: The Somaliland National Electoral Commission
To: The Honorable Ahmed M. Mohamoud Silanyo, President of the Republic of Somaliland
Cc: The Presidential candidates:
Muse Bihi Abdi, KULMIYE (Peace, Unity and Development Party)
Faisal Ali Warabe, UCID (Justice and Welfare Party)
Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Irro, Waddani (National Party)

Re: Internet shutdown during Somaliland presidential elections

Your Excellencies,

We are writing to urgently request that you ensure the stability and openness of the internet. We have received reports that the National Electoral Commission called for social media platforms to be shut down during the upcoming presidential elections. On behalf of the more than 140 organizations from over 50 countries that make up the #KeepitOn Coalition, we implore you to keep the internet on.

Internet shutdowns harm human rights and economies

Research shows that internet shutdowns and violence go hand in hand. [1], [2] Shutdowns disrupt the free flow of information and create a cover of darkness that shields human rights abuses from public scrutiny. Journalists and media workers cannot contact sources, gather information, or file stories without digital communications tools. Justified for various reasons, shutdowns cut off access to vital information, e-commerce, and emergency services, plunging whole communities into fear. Disruptions also destabilize the internet’s power to support small business livelihoods and to drive economic development. A 2016 study by the Brookings Institution, a prominent think tank, revealed that shutdowns drained $2.4 billion from the global economy between 2015 and 2016. [3]

The open Internet has fostered unprecedented creativity, innovation, and access to information and to other kinds of social, economic, cultural, and political opportunities across the globe. The technical means used to block access to information online often dangerously undermine the stability and resiliency of the Internet. Internet shutdowns must never be allowed to become the new normal.

Internet shutdowns violate international law

A growing body of findings and resolutions hold that intentional disruptions to the internet violate international law. In July 2016, the United Nations Human Rights Council passed, by consensus, a resolution on freedom of expression and the internet with unambiguous language on internet shutdowns and other restrictions on freedom of expression online. Resolution A/HRC/RES/32/13:

condemns unequivocally measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online in violation of international human rights law and calls on all States to refrain from and cease such measures.

The Council sent a clear message that the blocking and throttling of networks, applications, and services that facilitate human rights is unacceptable behavior.

Experts from the United Nations, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Organization of American States (OAS), and the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), also issued an historic statement declaring that internet “kill switches” can never be justified under international human rights law, even in times of conflict. [4]

In November 2016, the African Commission on Human Rights and Peoples’ Rights adopted a resolution on the right to freedom of information and expression on the internet in Africa, which noted its concern over “the emerging practice of State Parties of interrupting or limiting access to telecommunications services such as the Internet, social media and messaging services, increasingly during elections.” ACHPR/Res. 362(LIX)

The UN Human Rights Committee, the official interpreter of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, emphasizes in its General Comment no. 34 that restrictions on speech online must be strictly necessary and proportionate to achieve a legitimate purpose. [5] Shutdowns, by contrast, disproportionately impact all users, and unnecessarily restrict access to information and emergency services communications during crucial moments. Shutdowns are neither necessary to, nor effective at, achieving a legitimate aim, as they block the spread of information, contribute to confusion and disorder, and obstruct public safety. Shutdowns are neither necessary to, nor effective at, achieving a legitimate aim, as they often spread confusion and encourage more people to join public demonstrations.

Recommendations

We respectfully request that you use the important positions of your good offices to:

  • Ensure that the internet, including social media, remains on
  • Publicly declare your commitment to keep the internet on, and to notify the public of any disruptions
  • Encourage telecommunications and internet services providers to respect human rights through public disclosures on policies and practices impacting users.

We are happy to assist you in any of these matters.

Sincerely,

Access Now
Bahrain Watch
Campaign for Human Rights and Development International
Human Rights Centre
Internet Sans Frontières
KICTANet
Open Observatory of Network Interference (OONI)
OXCON
Paradigm Initiative 
PEN America
Right2Know Campaign
SFLC.in
Sunlight Foundation

Notes:
[1] An internet shutdown is defined as an intentional disruption of internet or electronic communications, rendering them inaccessible or effectively unusable, for a specific population or within a location, often to exert control over the flow of information. See more at <https://www.accessnow.org/keepiton;
[2]Anita R. Gohdes, ‘Pulling the Plug: Network Disruptions and Violence in the Syrian Conflict’ (Journal of Peace Research: 31 January 2014) <http://www.anitagohdes.net/uploads/2/7/2/3/27235401/gohdes_synetworkaug14.pdf; accessed 18 February 2016.
[3] Darrell West, (Brookings Institution, October 2016) “Internet shutdowns cost countries $2.4 billion last year” <https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/intenet-shutdowns-v-3.pdf
[4] Peter Micek, (Access Now, 4 May 2015) ‘Internet kill switches are a violation of human rights law, declare major UN and rights experts’ <https://www.accessnow.org/blog/2015/05/04/internet-kill-switches-are-a-violation-of-human-rights-law-declare-major-un
[5] UN Human Rights Committee (UN, July 2011) “General Comment No. 34” <http://www2.ohchr.org/english/bodies/hrc/docs/GC34.pdf

  Mohamed El Dahshan   Nov 11, 2017   Uncategorized   0 Comment Read More