Hi, Apologies for cross posting. Sharing an overview of the discussions
going on in India related to IANA Stewardship Transition and ICANN
Accountability. Regards Amrita Choudhury CCAOI
Newsletter
May,
2015 CCAOI organizes a Round Table Discussion on “IANA Transition & ICANN Accountability Process &
India’s Position” The Round Table
Discussion on the “IANA Transition & ICANN Accountability Process and
India’s Position” was held on 30th May, 2015. Over 95
participants from different stakeholder communities of India viz., Industry,
Industry Associations, Academia, Civil Society, Lawyers, Consultants,
Government, Students, etc. participated in the discussion. Besides
there were over 25 remote participants not only from different cities of India
(such as Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Indore, Trivandrum, etc.) but also,
members of ISOC Chapters from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, who joined
remotely. The salient
features of the study on the Indian Perspective on IANA Stewardship Transition
were shared with the audience. The Chair, Dr. Ajay Kumar, shared a brief
overview on the importance of participation of India in this discussion. During the
discussion the participants acknowledged the following needs:
The participants also raised concerns regarding: ·
The lack of clarity on notion of 'community' ·
The CWG Draft 2 being too different from Draft 1 ·
CCWG Accountability draft is complex ·
Lack of in-depth discussion on jurisdiction of ICANN especially,
US jurisdiction of ICANN ·
Unrealistic timelines of IANA transition and ICANN Accountability ·
Language is a barrier in the public consultation process ·
No clarity about replacement of outgoing CEO of ICANN Some suggestions made by the participants included:
CCAOI releases Report on “A Study on the Indian Perspective on the
IANA Stewardship Transition” Dr. Ajay
Kumar, Joint Secretary, DeitY released the report on “A Study on the Indian
Perspective on the IANA Stewardship Transition”, conducted by CCAOI, during the
round table on 30th May 2015. The study was
conducted with the support of NIXI over a period of three months, to identify
the issues related to the NTIA stewardship transition from the IANA operations,
the different strains of thoughts, along with their convergence and divergence,
review the central issues from India perspective after extensive consultation
with stakeholders, highlighting their importance and make recommendations on
what should be the most appropriate position for India. Representatives
of all Stakeholder communities - Government, Industry, Industry Associations,
Civil Society, Academia, Experts, Lawyers, Educationists, Politicians, Media
and Internet users were met and interviewed to have an in-depth understanding
on the matter and then formulate the recommendations. The report recommends
that a credible independent body must replace NTIA which would be subject to
international law, have an executive board composed of independent persons,
have an advisory board to address policy matters, have a constitution that
prevents capture by any state player, obliged to act transparently and
proportionally, be free to design its own structure and work rules, able to
raise its own resources and not be bound to accept directives other than
from a duly constituted board. The report
also recommends that India must prioritize policy issue over operational issue
concerns, seek higher levels of accountability for ICANN and not its
replacement, undertake serious consultations with its large IT industry, create
awareness within government and outside about internet governance matters,
recognize its stake in a single and smooth functioning internet, enabled by the
existing ‘multistakeholder’ bodies involved in the IANA function, reject
proposals which lack acceptable levels of accountability of ICANN and recognize
that a successful Digital India Programme can radically increase its stake in
internet governance including the IANA functions. The report can be downloaded from the
following link: http://www.ccaoi.in/UI/links/fwresearch/Study%20on%20the%20Indian%20Perspective%20on%20IANA%20transition.pdf Government of India comments on the second Draft proposal on CWG
Naming Indian
Government’s comments submitted on the 2nd draft of
CWG Naming Proposal are not limited to the proposal from the names community,
but also include some broader concerns and principles in respect of the IANA
transition process. Some
of the points raised by the Indian Government include, concern that if ICANN is
awarded the role of the perpetual contracting authority for the IANA function,
it can create an impression that ICANN is no longer purely a technical
coordination body. The submission supports creation of Contract Co., highlights
the absence of external accountability and no mechanism to change in case of
dissatisfactory service, ICANN's role in naming policy development to another
entity. The document suggests that checks and balances should be laid out
against powers to be exercised by ICANN. The issue of legal jurisdiction and
need for checks and balances on the performance of the policy development role
with respect to names has also been highlighted. The submission suggests that
the role of the Root Zone Maintainer should be included within the scope of the
present transition process. The
other submission for India includes a submission by ISOC Chennai, CCG and a
proposal by an individual. ISOC
Chennai in their submission has suggested the concept of notional separation of
ICANN for managing IANA functions. They suggest that there is no need in the
structurally separate IANA for the IETF/RIRs/ Registries
(customers)/Governments and Users. Further, IETF / RIRs / Registries / Users /
Governments could stay within ICANN, all the IANA oversight could be overlooked
by ICANN. CCG
questions the basis for removal of MRT, how the inputs of the community
were factored for CWG to conclude that ICANN would be the custodian of IANA
functions, need for creating an ICANN “affiliate” to perform IANA functions,
checks in place for smooth function of root zone system post transition. The
submission also questions the composition of the PTI Board, its jurisdiction,
reasons to do away altogether with the requirement of “authorisation” to root
zone changes etc. The
other individual submission states that the process is not inclusive and just
limited to elitists. The submission suggests that more outreach in local
languages would help to increase participation from the unrepresented
communities. To view the
Indian Government submission, visit: http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-cwg-stewardship-draft-proposal-22apr15/msg00020.html To view all the
comments submitted, visit:
http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-cwg-stewardship-draft-proposal-22apr15/ Comments from India on the CCWG Accountability Proposal There have been three comments from India on the CCWG
Accountability Group’s proposal so far. Government
of India in their submission commented on the accountability of ICANN, as an
IANA Functions Operator, an Entity Involved in Policy Development, the ambit of
ICANN Accountability; the issue of Nature of Accountability, the issue of
Accountability and Community Empowerment, whom ICANN would be accountable to.
It also raises questions on ICANN’s Organizational DNA, Transparency and
Processes, Jurisdiction and requirement for more Stress Tests. The CCAOI submission
highlights that the draft seems quite complex which might make it more
difficult for the stakeholders to participate in the process. For enhanced
engagement of the global community outside ICANN, it suggests more face to face
meetings across the world and outreach activities. The lack in-depth discussion
of jurisdiction of ICANN is also highlighted. It also suggests that financial
accountability of ICANN must be included in the accountability discussion.
Lastly, it is also suggested that accountability should also be extended to
contributors such as IETF, RIRs, National Names and Number Registries and other
players including respective staff and secretariats. In the CCG submission some
of the issues highlighted include the geographical diversity and compensation
of the IPR panel; definitions of public interest, binding of the ICANN board to
community feedback process, voting structure, board’s accountability to GAC and
jurisdiction issues. The Indian
Government’s submission can be viewed from the following link:
http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-ccwg-accountability-draft-proposal-04may15/pdfJVAhVXKqvo.pdf The CCAOI
submission can be viewed from the link:
http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-ccwg-accountability-draft-proposal-04may15/msg00053.html The CCG
submission can be viewed from the following link:
http://forum.icann.org/lists/comments-ccwg-accountability-draft-proposal-04may15/pdf8Q8Vib6ogs.pdf Upcoming Events and Opportunities
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