Greetings Barrack, Thank you for the great article linking aspects of Human Rights and the internet freedom. I wish to ride on the UN article and your presentation with Charles on the use of social media to promote peace during to the National Youth Forum. In Kenya we are now in the elections "electioneering" mode. Just as with any tool, the internet may be used positively or negatively. While the positives abound, I wish to pick on the negative use and impact during this period which I believe would be one of the reasons why we would have censorship and other measures perceived to be negative or as an infringement to human rights. Firstly, no training is provided on the "how" to use the internet. For most users they navigate their way into discovery. This means that decorum is not assured from all users Secondly, the cover of anonymity in most cases may result in rumour mongering, false alarms, hate speech, cover-ups Thirdly, The volume of users is increasing, mostly with youth users who are very curious and creative Especially with the advancements and prevalence of internet via the phone in Kenya this means that the internet has a great potential to be a tool for promoting peace or in turn break the very delicate ties of cohesion. The comments in the article made by Frank La Rue of Guatemala, the UN special rapporteur are quite controversial taking into consideration the reactionary time of the law versus the damage that may have been caused where e.g hate speech/images are in circulation. Why would a government wait for a whole weekend for the court to give an order on a Monday morning to close down a controversial website? I see ISOC-K certainly playing a key role to advocate for "proper" use of the internet in Kenya , aligned to the constitution while also being a watchdog to ensure appropriate access and freedom of the citizenship. Have a great weekend all! Regards/Wangari --- Pray God Bless. 2012Wangari circa - "Heaven moves into the world through thespirit of those who are willing to serve". --- On Fri, 15/6/12, Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> wrote: From: Barrack Otieno <otieno.barrack@gmail.com> Subject: [ISOC_KE] UN Human Rights Council Rallies On Right To Internet Freedom Of Expression To: isoc@lists.my.co.ke Date: Friday, 15 June, 2012, 9:50 Listers, Some old articles that could be usefull reads. http://www.ip-watch.org/2012/02/29/un-human-rights-council-rallies-on-right-... Best Regards -- Barrack O. Otieno +254721325277 +254-20-2498789 Skype: barrack.otieno http://www.otienobarrack.me.ke/ _______________________________________________ isoc mailing list isoc@lists.my.co.ke http://lists.my.co.ke/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/isoc