Discussion on “Regulation of hate speech on the Internet”

On March 11, 2021 IGC Chair, Deputy Minister of the High-Tech Industry Stepan Tsaturyan, IGC Secretary Grigor Saghyan, and IGC members Anush Begloyan, Lianna Galstyan, Hamazasp Danielyan and Vahan Hovsepyan participated in a discussion of research on “Regulation of Hate Speech on the Internet” organized by the Working Group on Development of Legislative Basis for the Prevention of Hate Speech under the Standing Committee on Human Rights Protection and the Public Affairs of the National Assembly.

The research was conducted within the framework of the “New Armenia – Modern Parliament” program.

During the discussion, the Government-Civil Society-End User cooperation was emphasized. It was also mentioned that the discussion of this topic will be included in the agenda of the forthcoming meeting of the IGC.

On 27 September 2020, the Ministry of Transport, Communications and High Technologies of Azerbaijan reported on the introduction of restrictions on the Internet supply in the country to avoid potential provocations. Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani Internet users also mention the widespread blocking of social networks.

The Internet Governance Council (IGC) strictly condemns these steps that hinder the freedom of the Internet, the dissemination of information, and the freedom of expression. In the context of the hostilities by Azerbaijan unleashed in the morning of 27 September 2020, the people of Azerbaijan should be able to receive reliable and comprehensive information both from local and international information sources, and not be deprived of the opportunity to form an unbiased opinion or a forum to express it.

The IGC calls for abolishing the Internet restrictions in Azerbaijan that violate the fundamental human right to freedom of information and expression.

The IGC also calls for the international community, working in the sphere of freedom of the Internet and Internet Governance – The Internet Society, ICANN, RIPE NCC, Facebook, and Google – to express their position on the Internet restrictions in Azerbaijan, and similar actions, violating fundamental human rights and freedoms.

The 14th Global Internet Governance Forum was held on 25-29 November 2019 in Berlin, Germany. The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres and the German Chancellor Angela Merkel made keynote opening speeches.The overarching theme was “One World. One Net. One Vision.” focusing mainly on the Sustainable Development Goals and their implementation over the globe.

This year program was developed around 3 themes: Data Governance, Digital Inclusion and Security, Safety, Stability, Resilience.

The 14th IGF brought together around 3700 onsite and around 3000 online participants from 161 countries.

The Armenian IGF, represented by IGC Secretariat Member Lianna Galstyan, actively participated in the Main Session as well as in discussions on various topics.

Member of Parliament Hamazasp Danielyan also participated in the IGF for the first time at the invitation of the German Bundestag.

More information about the IGF key messages can be found here.

October 2019 was a busy IT month in Armenia. Launched by the WCIT 2019 (World Congress of Information Technologies) on October 6-9, it continued on October 10-12 by the N2 Forum (Numbers and Names) held in Yerevan, Armenia for the first time with the efforts of multistakeholder Internet community. It hosted local and international leading Internet organizations to discuss technological challenges.

The Forum with the slogan “Working together for the digital future” was held with the support of the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia. At the Grand Opening Ceremony, the keynote speeches were delivered by the Minister Hakob Arshakyan, ICANN President and CEO Göran Marby, RIPE NCC Managing Director Axel Pawlik, Internet Society European Bureau Director Frédéric Donck, UN IGF MAG member and Armenia IGF Coordinator Lianna Galstyan and Director of the Union of Operators of Armenia Kristine Gyonjyan.

The N2 Forum hosted 6 events, among which were the 5th Armenian Internet Governance Forum (ArmIGF) and the 1st Youth Internet Governance Forum (YIGF).

On 10 October, at the opening of ArmIGF 5 the Chairman of the Internet Governance Council, the Deputy Minister of HTI Armen Abroyan and IGC Secretary Grigori Saghyan delivered a welcome speech. Details of the Forum are available on the official website.

The second face-to-face 2019 Open Consultations and MAG meeting took place on April 9-11, 2019 at the ITU building in Geneva, Switzerland. The MAG member Lianna Galstyan participated in the discussions of shaping the IGF 2019 to be held on 25-29 November in Berlin, Germany.

In parallel, the 10th WSIS Forum 2019 gathered delegations from many countries at the ITU Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Minister of Transport, Communication and IT Mr. Hakob Arshakyan delivered a speech at the WSIS Forum, presenting the developments in the field of technology in Armenia and state policy and priorities for the sector development.

On 28-30 January, 2019 the First Open Consultations and MAG meeting for IGF 2019 was held in Geneva, Switzerland. IGC Secretariat Member Lianna Galstyan participated to the meeting as MAG member.  The meeting was planned to receive inputs from the wide community and stocktaking of the IGF 2018 and to discuss the process and upcoming work towards the IGF 2019 to be held on 25-29 November, 2019 in Berlin, Germany.

The 13th Global Internet Governance Forum was held on 12-14 November at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. The UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and the President of France Emmanuel Macron made keynote opening speech.The overarching theme was “The Internet of Trust” highlighting the Internet security and trust. The multiple topics of discussions included cyber security, emerging technologies, evolution of the Internet governance, human rights issues, media and fake new, and more.

The Armenian IGF, represented by IGC Secretariat Member Lianna Galstyan, actively participated in discussions on various topics.

More information about the IGF key messages can be found here.

On 11-13 July, 2018 the Second Open Consultations and MAG meeting for IGF 2018 was held in Geneva, Switzerland. IGC Secretariat Member Lianna Galstyan participated to the meeting as a MAG member. Face-to-face meeting was devoted to the planning process of the 13th IGF to be held on 12-13 November in Paris, France. Details can be found in the official website.

IGC Secretariat – Internet Society NGO Board Member, SEEDIG Executive Committee Member Lianna Galstyan participated to the SEEDIG 2018 (South Eastern European Dialogue on Internet Governance) meeting taking place on 22-24 May 2018 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The event was held under the honorary patronage of the President of the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia, and was hosted by the Digitas Institute. SEEDIG 2018 was attended by 120 participants from 27 SEE and neighboring countries representing all stakeholder groups.

On March 20-22, 2018 the First Open Consultations and Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG) meeting for IGF 2018 was held in Geneva, Switzerland. IGC Secretariat member Lianna Galstyan participated to the meeting as MAG member.

Details about the event can be found here.