The Right Men for the Job

The day after tomorrow, following the  Resolution on “Internet governance and critical Internet resources” adopted at the 1st Council of Europe Conference of Ministers responsible for Media and New Communication Services (Reykjavik, 28-29 May 2009), it was announced that the ad hoc Working Group of the Council of Europe on Cross-Border Internet had been established, with Prof. Wolfgang Kleinwaechter (Germany) elected its Chair, and Michael Yakuhsev (Russian Federation) - its Vice-Chair.

The Working group’s mandate (https://wcd.coe.int/ViewDoc.jsp?Ref=CM/Del/Dec%282009%291063/5.1&Language=lanEnglish&Ver=app13&Site=COE&BackColorInternet=DBDCF2&BackColorIntranet=FDC864&BackColorLogged=FDC864ntk) includes:

- Examination of  the shared or mutual responsibilities of states in ensuring that critical Internet resources are managed in the public interest and as a public asset, ensuring delivery of the public service value to which all persons under their jurisdiction are entitled;

- Making proposals, in particular, relating to the prevention and management of events, including malicious acts, falling within member states’ jurisdictions or territories, which could block or significantly impede Internet access to or within fellow members of the international community with the objective of guaranteeing the ongoing functioning and universal nature and integrity of the Internet;

- Exploring the feasibility of drafting an instrument designed to preserve or reinforce the protection of cross-border flow of Internet traffic openness and neutrality.

The Group is composed of five specialists in international law and internet governance, to be appointed by the Secretary General.

In order to carry out its tasks, the Group may, where necessary,  seek advice of external experts, have recourse to consultants and consult with relevant governmental and/or non-governmental organizations and other members of civil society, as well as other pertinent bodies.

It seems the Council of Europe has made a right pick: the Group leaders are well known as great expert in Internet governance and long-standing proponents of open, free Internet. Besides, they are reputable experts in international law, which should undoubtedly add value to the Group’s operations and their future outcomes.

With their impeccable record in the said areas, there is every reason to believe the European Community and Russia alike should benefit from the Working Group’s activities. This is particularly important for Russia, where the concept of free Internet still stirs much confusion amid calls for regulation of the Internet.

We wish Messrs. Kleinwachter and Yakushev luck in their future work and hope to see some tangible results of their efforts in building the European-wide consensus around  the issue of Internet governance and promoting the concept of free Internet both in Europe and Russia