Appeal for involvement in negotiations at World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) Impacting Human Rights in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 3-14 December 2012.

27 October 2012

To

Advocate Sahara Khatun

Hon’ble Minister

Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications

Bangladesh Secretariat

Dhaka 1000

Subject:           Regarding Consumers Appeal for involvement in negotiations at World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) Impacting Human Rights in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 3-14 December 2012.

Dear Hon’ble Minister,

Greetings from Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC)

BNNRC is a national networking body working for building a democratic society based on the principles of free flow of information, equitable & affordable access to Information & Communication Technology for Development (ICT4D) of remote & marginalized population through;

Right to Information for ensuring improved livelihood of the marginalized

ICT for Development for Bridging the Digital Divide in rural areas

Community Radio/Community Television for amplifying voices for the voiceless & Amateur Radio for Disaster Risk Reduction

Dear Hon’ble Minister,

We express our major concern about the lack of consumer rights protections in the upcoming event of World Conference on International Telecommunication (WCIT-12) on behalf of The   consumer organizations and civil society organizations in Bangladesh in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 3-14 December 2012.

The fundamental obligation of government is to protect and promote the basic human rights of the public. While negotiating / signing any treaty or agreement which may potentially threaten basic human rights, it is the obligation of government to provide the people with due representation and access to the negotiating text.

A report submitted to ITU-T study groups as a guideline ETSI/OCG25 (05)18 stresses the need to involve consumer representative bodies in the negotiation process. Another strong reference to remind ITU about its own resolutions regarding consumer rights protection is Resolution 64 of World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC, 2010 Hyderabad), which stressed the need to involve consumer representative bodies in the negotiation process. 

  

Beside all these resolutions, recommendations and commitments unfortunately, ITU has failed to address the consumer reservations. A major concern of consumers in WCIT-12 is the lack of transparency and lack of representation by consumer representatives in the negotiation process.

The main issues affecting consumer rights include the risk of cyber-security proposals impacting privacy, freedom of expression, and the danger that new charging models will lock out small content providers from access to consumers ( especially in developing countries). 

All these issues demand proper representation by consumer representatives to ensure the basic rights of millions of telecommunication and internet users in the country. Being our country representative in the negotiating process on behalf of all the consumers in the country, we request you to play your role in putting pressure on the ITU to bring transparency in the process to address our concerns.

We also count on your support to consult with consumer representatives in the ongoing negotiation process and / or to include them in the official delegation.

We would be very happy if you initiate Bangladesh Consultation on World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) before join the World Conference on International Telecommunications (WCIT) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from 3-14 December 2012 with the participation from civil society, media, academia and other stakeholder.

We solicit your special cooperation in this regards,

Sincerely Yours,

AHM. Bazlur Rahman-S21BR
Chief Executive Officer
Bangladesh NGOs Network for

Radio and Communication

Cc:

Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Information, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Secretary, Ministry of Posts & Telecommunications,Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh

Chairman,Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC)