newsitems Iceland MP Jonsdottir to EuroFora:Facebook worse than Twitter in US Gov. Personal Data/Wikileaks gag
Iceland MP Jonsdottir to EuroFora:Facebook worse than Twitter in US Gov. Personal Data/Wikileaks gag
While Global Competition for Best Internet Rules booms, Human Rights' respect, including on Privacy of Sensitive Personal Data, such as Political Opinions, Religious Beliefs, Sexual Orientation or Bank Accounts, etc., might soon start to be protected not only by Courts, but even by .. Global Markets, if the current attempt of U.S. Government to secretly snatch all Sensitive Data of all People who communicated via Twitter with Iceland's MP Birgitta Jonsdottir, Modern Media Initiative's Spokesperson, isn't stopped by a Virginia Court, due to judge on Friday, given EU's and other Players' readiness to launch innovative projects Worldwide, highlighted in an EU Parliament's Resolution adopted recently in Strasbourg, particularly if Facebood and other US-based Social Media's stance on Internet Users' Human Rights might be, in fact, worse, as she told "EuroFora" :
- I'm afraid that "Facebook" might have already given to US Authorities the Private Data they asked for, without even revealing anything to the victims, contrary to "Twitter", who, at least, initially resisted to a gag order, until it brought the issue in broad daylight, giving us a chance to react, Birgitta Josnedottir warned.
- The point is that, as an MP, I often receive from various People "a lot of Sensitive stuff", she told us : I.e. Data related to Political opinions, Religious or other Beliefs, Race, Health or Sexual life and/or judicial convictions, etc., according to CoE's International Convention for the Protection of Individuals wih regard to Personal Data). That's one of the reasons for which even IPU (the nearby Geneva-based International Parliamentarian Union) is currently examining reports on this issue, which is related to an MP's links to the controversial "Wikileaks" team.
Better Protection of Private Data in Europe, compared to the US, may become a Comparative Advantage in the Global Competition for the development of New Media at the Internet in Future, as it results, indirectly but surely, from statements to "EuroFora" by Iceland's MP Birgitta Jonsdottir who is also Board Member and Spokesperson of the IMMI : Iceland's Initiative on Modern Media, that EU Parliament has just "Welcomed" in a Resolution adopted recently in Strasbourg, by underlying that it "Supports the ongoing work to strengthen the legislative environment with regard to Freedom of Expression and access to information" in Iceland : "In this respect", EU Parliament "welcomes...the Icelandic Modern Media Initiative, enabling both Iceland and (all) the EU to position themselves strongly as regards legal protection of the freedoms of expression and information", the April 2011 Strasbourg's EU Resolution stresses.
- At the worst moment of the recent Global Economic Crisis, during which Iceland even faced an abrupt blockade of its Financial links to the UK, under an obviously excessive and disproportionate move by a former "Socialist" Brittish Government arguying of Suspicions for... "Terrorism" in order to suddenly "freeze" all assets belonging to the sympathetic Scandinavian Country, (by a coincidence, at the same moment that Iceland competed for non-permanent Membership to UNO's Security Council in New York vis a vis Turkey, which finally profited from Reykiavik's sufferings), as MP Jonsdottir denounced now at the CoE, "we decided to react also by creating something exceptional, of Historic importance, as the Best Legislation in the World for Freedom of Expression in Modern, Internet Media, whose capacity to interact may generate new, original contents", Birgitta Jonsdottir reminded to "EuroFora".
It's probably during that collective new effort, which necessitated a systematic Research collecting the "Best" Free Speech Legislation throughout all the Countries of the World, that she met and became familiar also with several founding members of the controversial "Wikileaks" Internet team, including Assange, that she found "really weird" and active, but with normally "good chances" to escape extradition to Sweden and/or USA thanks to the Brittish Legal System historically based on the Bill of Rights. The Icelandish MP considers that the controversial "Wikileaks" team should benefit from at least a part of Journalists' right to protect their Sources, because "they partly Pre-edit" the texts presented to the Media, as usually does an Editor in chief, she claimed.
US Authorities' have reportedly asked "Twitter" to give them, in secret, all non-content Communication Data including Thousands of Persons' I.P.s, Phone Numbers, Addresses, Bank Accounts, GeoLocalisations, Computers' characteristis and Internet Access Providers and points, etc, both for the Icelandish MP and for American ITC expert Jacob Appelbaum, Wikileaks US Representative, etc., triggering interventions to support their Appeal to the Virginia Court against US Government's order, also by the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation".
When Internet-driven Popular Movements for Democratic Changes spread along 3rd Mediterranean Countries, as it was observed from the outset in an International CoE Conference on "Internet Freedom" this week in Strasbourg, with a wide set of landmark participants from the U.S., Russia, EU, China, Brazil, India, Africa, Australia, etc., it can obviously look as counter-stream and/or even dangerous to keep, on the contrary, a controversial stance excessively against Internet users' Personal Data Privacy : If. f.ex. Libyan colonel Gadhafi and former Tunisian, Egyptian, or current Syrian regimes, which reportedly engaged in deadly attacks against civilian demonstrators, had been allowed to spy over the Personal Data of those who launched the first Internet calls to start organizing collective demonstrations and other protest events, the pioneers of the Democratic Spring 2011 would have been already arrested and jailed...
According to a recent (end of 2010) compilation of CoE Legal texts on Protection of Personal Data, which circulates in Strasbourg, in addition to CoE's more recent "CyberCrime" International Convention, it seems, basically, that the communication of Internet users' Personal Data to any 3rd Entity is, in principle, excluded, "unless it's absolutely necessary" f.ex. for prosecuring Crimes. Even then, concerning, in particular, "Sensitive Data" (See supra), they normally cannot be transferred to a 3rd person without the "explicit Consent of the subject", and/or, at any case (i.e. even in relation to CoE's "CyberCrime" Treaty), only if the demanding State offers "Appropriate Safeguards" and mainly an "Adequate Protection" of Human Rights and Freedom of Expression, etc.
- "USA has an Observer status" in CoE's Personal Data Protection mechanism (already ratified by more than 48 Member States), whose Treaty we hope that Washington will also ratify, observed to "EuroFora" CoE's Director on Human Rights' and Legal standards, Hans Kleijssen, implying that the U.S. could not totally ignore all that European Legislation.
However, Josnedottir anounced to "EuroFora", shortly before the forthcoming "e-G8" for a "civilized Internet" reportedly prepared in Paris by French President Sarkozy at the eve of Deauville's Heads of State/Government G8 Summit, that she is in favor of setting for the "World-wide Web" some Global Rules :
- "I'm afraid that, if nothing is done, the Internet risks to be destroyed by hard restrictions, sooner or later". Therefore, "It's preferable" to start debating and forging some elementary Principles now, "so that People may become aware of their Rights", the Spokeswoman of the EU-welcomed Initiative for Modern Media told "EuroFora" in Strasbourg, in the sidelines of a CoE International Conference on "Internet Freedom", advising Pluralist Open Public Debates for the development of some elementary Principles, even before drafting an International "Treaty", (See DraftNews already sent to "EuroFora"s Subsrcibers and Donors earlier).
- "But Users of Internet should be treated as e-Citizens, and not mere e-Consumers", the experienced, E-pioneer Icelandish MP underlined.
- "The Internet has a Public Service Value", and "all Citizens are entitled to its delivery", with ''legitimate expectations with regards to the enjoyment of their Fundamental Rights and Freedoms at the Internet, and the Integrity and Free Flow of information over the Network". While "Free Speech on the Internet and Cyber-Security are not mutually exclusive", but "complementary values", since "Cyber Threats equally endanger Security and the individual Right to Freedom of Expression", nevertheless, "we should be striving to preserve the Internet as we know it, and as we want it to be : An Agora for Information, Commerce and Innovation that underpins Free and Democratic Societies", stressed from the outset CoE's deputy Secretary General, Mrs Maud de Boehr-Buquicchio in her introductory Speech to Strasbourg's International 2011 Conference on "Internet Freedom".
- Observing that the Conference was symbolically organized at CoE's "Agora Building", which refers to the "Ancient Greek States", where "Agora was an Open space for Assembly shared by Citizens, Politicians, Institutions and Merchands", MBB noted that "CoE's vocation is to offer this kind of Space to Various Social Actors to hold Debates and consultations that can help advance in the mission to protect and promote core-values : Huyman Rights, Democracy and Rule of Law", inviting to use it as "the Best Forum for International Cooperation" in order "to help us find he Best possible way to make sure that our shared Values will become the "Natural Forces" governing the Internet environment", as she said.
By an astonishing coincidence, CoE's Deputy SG was partially echoed by the representative of Brazil, Dr. Demi Getsko, CEO of the Brazilian Network Information and long-time Member of the Internet Steering Committee, where, as a child of ..Greek-origin refugees who escaped from Smyrne's massace (born in Italy, but grown up and living all his Life in the biggest Latin America country : Brazil, which holds more than 50% of LA's Internet traffic), faithful to the original "Agora" Greek spirit, (mentioned by MBB : See supra), feeled proud to have actively contributed to stimulate debate but also comromise agreements for a "Decalogue" (as he said to "EuroFora") adopted by the Brazilian Internet body, with 10 (non-legally binding) "Principles for the Government and the Use of Internet" : Starting by a declaration for "Liberty, Privacy and Human Rights" at the 1st point, they conclude by stressing that "the Legal framework must preserve Internet's Dynamics as area for cooperation", without forgetting that "the World Wide Web was (initially) born Free, as in a Dream", as he reminded, however, with realistic nostalgy and an Omer-like look..
The 2 Days-long 2011 Strasbourg's International Conference on the Internet offered a good opportuniy for several interesting exchanges of views between various main stock-holders, including EU, Russia, USA, China, India, Brazil, African Countries, etc., as well as Telecom and ITC Companies, Legal Experts, Medias, ICANN and even NATO officials, Human Rights NGOs, etc, that "EuroFora" is due to present in a forthcoming critical Synthesis asap.
- This will help prepare the "Next big step, which should come within September 2011 IGF (Internet Governance Forum) in Africa : at Nairobi, (Kenya)"'s UNO offices, , observed to "EuroFora" CoE's Director on Human Rights and Legal standards, Dr. Kleijssen.
(NDLR : DraftNews, as already sent to "EuroFora"s Subscribers/Donors earlier. Watch out for a more accurate and complete Public Version asap).
***
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3 EU Parliament votes to boost EuroGroup !
---------------------------------
After EuroZone Paris Summit's succes, Sarkozy calls to "think anew how to re-construct Europe !
"EuroZone and EU Institutional debates pave the way to 2009 discussions on EU Future, including Enlargment, Turkey etc. ?
23 October 2008
After EU Parliament strongly suppported in 3 successive Votes this week in Strasbourg French EU Chairmanship's move to boost Euro-Group at EU's core, while ideas on EU Institutional problems are awaited on December, "it's an open Question now" if this may lead to a debate on EU's Future, or not, told us French President, Nicolas Sarkozy''s Spokesman, Pierre-Jerome Henin.
MEPs voted on Thursday fresh Funds to support EuroGroup, after adopting on Wednesday a Resolution asking a "further Evolution" to "the 1st ever meeting of Heads of State and of Government of the Euro-Zone, taking decisions in that capacity", while earlier this week a Report asked "a stronger Institutional setting" for "EuroGroup", extended from "competitiveness/industry" to "environment, employment and education", with "increased powers for Political decision-making", according to a text drafted by French MEP Francoise Beres and German MEP Werner Langen, "10 Years after the creation of Euro" (1999 - 2009).
- Brussels' subsequent "EU Council ..(simply)..ratified the measures decided by EuroGroup on October 12" in Paris, which "were necessary to contain the current Financial Crisis", Resolution observes, expressing also support to the new process succesfully initiated by Sarkozy and due to be completed by agreements with USA and other countries at a Global level.
From now on, it's between two differend but parallel moves : EU's delay, and EuroZone's acceleration, that Enlargement and particularly Turkey's controversial EU bid, will have to search its way :
Indeed, EU's 27 expect a "Roadmap on how to deal with the Irish problem" on Lisbon Treaty ratification after December, risking to pass even 2009 Elections and next Commission with the old Nice Treaty of 2000, out-dated and unfit even for 2004's Enlargement...
On the contrary, EU's core launches a real "Economic Governance for EuroZone at the highest level of Heads of State/Government" of the 15, which started in Paris on October 12 and was strongly supported this week in Strasbourg by Sarkozy and EU Parliament.
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- "It's a good idea, to launch such a debate ("on EU's Future") in EU Parliament in view of 2009 Euro-Election : Perhaps some MEPs will seize an opportunity", told us mainstream French MEP Alain Lamassoure, former EU Minister and EU Spokesman for France's governing party UMP.
- "All MEPs' debates on such EU Councils are also part of the larger debate on Europe's future : Now with EuroZone, and even more when, on December, Irish Prime Minister is due to table proposals in Strasbourg on how to deal with EU Treaty's ratification", replied earlier to our question EU Parliament's Press Director and Spokesman, Jaume Duch.
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Sarkozy has formally anounced his intention to open EU Debates on Economy, Identity/Enlargement (i.e. mainly Turkey), etc. both linked to a popular Political view of Europe, since his Historic speeches on EU in Strasbourg, on February and July 2007, when he stressed that "Europe needs a New Renaissance". At the beginning of the French EU Presidency, on July 2008, replying to a MEP, he suggested that EU Parliament takes an active part in Debates on EU's Future.
- Now, in 2008, "Crisis are an opportunity to re-think how to re-construct Europe", Sarkozy stressed. At any case, the Historic 1st EuroZone Summit of Heads of State/Government, which started replying to the Financial crisis,"is a Turning Point : After that, Europe cannot be governed as before, but differently" : People "like a Europe with Strong Will".
- "We must make the System move !", "Europe needs Innovation" and free political debates. EU "Elections are in a few Months", Sarkozy warned.
He invited EU Parliament to fully play its role as "the Democratic Heart of the Europe we want : United, Independent and Voluntarist, because the World needs Europe's voice".
- "It's no more possible for Euro-Zone to continue without an Economic Government" at the Highest Level of Heads of State/Government, who provide "Democratic Legitimity" and can take important decisions, he announced, strongly supported by EU Parliament's Economic Committee which just voted to boost the "Institutional" aspects of "EuroGroup".
Plasticity offered by the current absence of a special Treaty on EuroZone's Institutions "made it easy to adapt the organization of the 1st Summit with imagination, to efficiently meet urgent needs", he observed, on the occasion of Brittish Prime Minister's exceptionnal presence at the greatest part of EuroGroup's Paris Summit.
- "In EuroZone we have the same Bank, the same Money, and, thus, a same duty for Unity" : "By bringing together EuroGroup's 15 members States we suceeded to find a solution and prepare a Giant Plan of 1.800 Billion euros", Sarkozy reminded of Paris' 1st Historic EuroZone's Summit.
Afterwards, Brussels' EU Council followed the move, and USA's Paulson II Plan was inspired from that. "Europe must promote the idea of Global Economy's Refoundation", he stressed.
- "I was frankly astonished when I found, at the EU, a rigid system, where any New Idea was seen from the outset as a sacrilege, while, on the contrary, Europe needs Innovation !", he described.
F.ex. ,"'When we first spoke about the "Union for the Mediterranean", it was misunderstood as something extraordinary.. When later we had the Russia -Georgia crisis, it seemed against EU's custom to act "in the middle of August", instead of staying a passive spectator ! And when, in front of the Financial ciris, we gathered the 1st EuroZone Summit of the "15", some thought of it as a lese-majesté", he denounced.
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On Geo-Political Principles :
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- But, by moving resolutely, "EU obtained the ...withdrawal of Occupation Troops in 2 Months !", reminded Sarkozy, observing that Russia "fulfilled its commitments", in the Georgian crisis, where a "disroportionate reaction" from Moscow followed a "totally inappropriate action" from Tbilisi's troops. "It would be crazy to reply by military means : EU should not become accomplice of another Cold War, imposed by lack of cool heads".. as he said.
In future, "the creation of a common European Economic Area with EU and Russia, would also obtain a raprochment on our Human Rights and Democratic Values", added Sarkozy, in a statement which should logically be applied, a fortiori, to controversial EU "candidate" Turkey..
Particularly when, the same week that EU Parliament voted 2009 EU Funds for Turkey's controversial EU bid, ECHR took a series of judgements condemning Turkey for grave Violations of Human Rights, such as : Torture, death of a political prisoner in unclear circumstances followed by failure to conduct a proper Investigation, "enforced Disappearance" of a youngster aged 17, Killing of a sepherd with Tank Shells, persecuting Journalists for articles on "Missing" People, even a former President of Human Rights' Association, (etc)
- "We (EU) can defend our ideas on respect of Sovereignity and territorial Integrity, on Human Rights and other differences ... without confrontation", Sarkozy stressed, on the occasion of Russian/Georgian conflict, reminding that : "we were only 2 steps from catastroph", when a Peace agreement brokered in Moscow prevented, at the last minute, Russian troops' advance towards Tbilisi.
An EU Parliament Resolution adopted Wednesday in Strasbourg on the occasion of Russia - Georgia conflict, outlines a set of Principle which apply elsewhere too, (particularly when EU Rapporteur for Russia and Turkey is one and same person ; Dutch MEP Ria Oomen-Ruijtanen !)
Clearly rejecting any "military solution to the conflicts", MEPs "condemn ..all those who resorted to force and violence". They denounce a "disproportionate military action", "as well as (an) unilateral decision to recognise the independence" of brekaway regions, "calling.. to respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity" of the concerned country, "and the inviolability of its borders recognised by all EU Member States". They warn that "EU must review its policy towards" a 3rd Country, "should .(it)...not comply with its commitments", and "stress that the withdrawal of.... troops from the areas ....is an essential additional step".
EU Parliament "calls for the safe and quick return of refugees, (accepted by Russian President Medvedev) accompanied by the deployment of EU observers on the ground", and "regrets ...that ..EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) is not allowed to enter the ...breakaway regions". Moreover, "It's important to ensure that persons and NGOs ..engaged in defending human and civil rights can operate". "Until ...all remaining issues (are) resolved..., and notably the continuing ...Military presence", "relations with the EU ..cannot be fully normalised", MEPS warned.
As nobody likes to be accused to practice "Double Standards", this should be regarded as "Principles" applicable to any Third Country at EU's Neighborhood.. No ?
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On Economy :
-----------------------
- "When Financial crisis shook US and EU's Banks, without result from the 1st (American) Paulsen plan, it was the common reply of the 1st EuroZone's Summit, involving some 1800 Billion euros, which started a positive move in the markets, soon strengthened by the follow-up of the US Paulson 2 Plan, noted Sarkozy.
- "Europe should not be only on the defensive, but, if necessary, know also how to take an offensive", he said, brushing away hesitationsto act on Economy: - "I'm for a refondation of Capitaliism, but against Speculators, who betray its values" : "Lack of Rules was profitable to speculators, Not to businessmen !" We must make sure to prevent any such crisis in future". "We, the rest of the World, cannot continue to bear the deficits of the 1st World power without saying anything !", the French President said, applauded by EU Parliament. All this needs "a New Global Governance", on which EU Parliament must debate. That's why "we proposed together with USA, several Summits from mid-November", to which G-8, enlarged to China, India a.o. countries, should participate. UNO's SG; Ban Ki Moon, the IMF, etc.
Financial crisis lowered shares' prices even for healthy companies, sometimes to 1/3 of their initial price, so that strangers might buy EU industries for only a portion of their real value, and Europeans may wake up one day with their main industries sold out to foreigners !
That's one of the reasons for which EU should debate about creating "Golden Shares" for States to jointly take Strategic participations to help European Industries until the end of the Crisis, particularly against distording competition, he suggested, pointing at USA's 35 billion $ plan for American Car Industry."We shall struggle for Europe to be able to build Airplanes, Ships, Trains, Cars, because we need a strong Industry", he concluded.
"F.ex. as we did back in 2004, when as Finance Minister, we bought Alsthom's shares for 800.000 euros, and, after restructuring, we sold them for 2 Millions : Help a company and make money is not so bad"...
As for the UK, "when Ireland announced that it would guarantee only Irish Banks, London City emptied from liquidities in 24 hours : It's the EU which helped to restore the situation, Not the UK alone !", reminded Sarkozy to nationalist British MEP Nigel Farage.
On the contrary, in a last-minute attempt for the EU to catch-up with its Institutional delay "before the European Elections" of June 2009, MEPs simply voted a call for a "set of proposals" to be made for the "Irish public opinion" at the end of the year...
- "As long as Lisbon Treaty is not ratified by all 27 EU Member States, there is an unanimous decision to stop Enlargement, reminded Wednesday in Strasbourg the French Minister for EU affairs, Jean-Pierre Jouyet..
Added to an indirect but clear warning that, without Lisbon Treaty, all 27 EU Member Countries may not have a Commissioner in the 2009 resuffle, MEPS in the Constitutional/Foreign affairs Committees applauded hoping that this might motivate their Irish friends..
