“Launching of the Lebanese Internet Freedom Principles” 

Date: June 4, 2014

On the occasion of launching the Lebanese Internet Freedom Principles, “IJMA3”, “The Professional Computer Association of Lebanon” and “Maharat Foundation” are glad to invite you to a networking dinner on Wednesday the 11th of June 2014, at 8:30 pm at Le Gray Hotel – Indigo Restaurant in downtown Beirut. 

The event aims to introduce “Haquna” and the Lebanese Internet Freedom Principles that resulted from the Lebanese Internet Freedom Alliance meetings, as well as highlight the E-Media Legislations in Lebanon.  
Invitation Schedule:  

8:30 pm:  - Present the Lebanese Internet Freedom Principles. - Recommendations and suggestions for initiating activities to ensure protection of internet freedom based on the principles. 

9:00 pm: Dinner  
It is worth mentioning that the members of the Lebanese Internet Freedom Alliance held a series of consultative meetings to produce the Lebanese Internet Freedom Principles Document (annex 1 below) under the initiative “Haquna” which was launched by the Arab ICT Organization – IJMA3 in five Arab Countries. 

Maharat Foundation also emphasized the importance of internet freedom through the proposed media law that is registered in parliament and is currently being studied by the parliamentary media and communication committee.     
                                                                                                      
                                                         
Lebanese Internet Freedom Principles 

1.    Unconditional Protection: Commitment of all stakeholders that every person should enjoy the same protection online as off line, as this is a basic human right. The ability of people to exercise rights online freely is non-negotiable, and should not be compromised under any circumstances.  It is critical for economic growth and international investment in the Arab world and enhances employment opportunities for Arab youth who have significant ICT capabilities

2.    Internet Service Level: The Internet should be available, affordable, and accessible to all in urban and rural areas, with adequate service level regardless of service provider, and all persons should work sincerely to achieve this goal, being a basic human right and that any action to the contrary is contrary to freedom of expression and access to information, including reducing the speed of the Internet for illegitimate ends

3. Right to Access: Ensuring the online accessibility to information and promoting information sharing between individuals and communities including and equally for people with disabilities

 4.   Content:  Promoting local content and encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation to develop digital Arabic content to meet social and economic challenges in the region

5.  Child Online Safety:  Advocating for the safety of children online in line with universal human rights

 6.  Human Rights:  Supporting the ability of individuals and communities to exercise their human rights through the Internet and ICT technologies. All stakeholders including governments, regional organizations, international institutions, civil society organizations and other relevant stakeholders will reinforce their efforts in this regard

7. Collaboration: Cooperating in appropriate international and regional organizations with individual countries to promote freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly with respect to the Internet and ICT technologies

8. Commercial Activities: Encouraging ICT businesses in the region and across the globe to act responsibly toward human rights, freedom of expression and freedom online, through adopting practices, as well as policies or statements of principle, that address concerns related to the export and misappropriation of technologies for repressive ends, inappropriate requests for personal data for political purposes, and illegitimate blocking of content, safeguard public and private liberties and to take all other measures necessary to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms on the Internet and through ICT technologies

9.  Laws and Legislations:  Encouraging the development of a legal framework in line with this document

10.  Privacy: Guaranteeing the right to internet freedom, respecting freedom of expression and protection of privacy