GPD provides input on Zero Draft of OEWG substantive report
GPD has submitted input to the Zero Draft of the Open-ended working group on developments in the field of information and telecommunications in the context of international security (OEWG)’s upcoming report.
The report is the basis of the final discussions of the OEWG, which will take place from 8-12 March in a hybrid format. The current Zero Draft builds on a previous “pre-draft”, published in March last year, to which GPD also submitted input. Our response to the Zero Draft follows similar lines, centring on two key points:
- Discussions relating to peace and security in cyberspace—and what is permissible and impermissible behaviour in cyberspace—are directly tied to and impact human rights;
- Due to the characteristics of ICTs as primarily civilian technologies, which were developed and continue to evolve due to the critical involvement of non-state actors, the maintenance of international peace and security in cyberspace must be an effort inclusive of all stakeholders.
In the full response, we provide feedback pertaining to each section of the Zero Draft of the report, including specific recommendations.
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Next steps
The final draft of the report will be released once the Chair’s team incorporates feedback on this Zero Draft version. Pending negotiations, the report is expected to be adopted by the UN First Committee before the current UN General Assembly session ends in June. Sign up to our monthly Digest for regular updates.