CYIL 2013

ANNELIES VRBOVÁ – MARKÉTA NOVÁKOVÁ – MARTIN BULÁNEK CYIL 4 ȍ2013Ȏ human rights-related debate, which quickly changed the atmosphere in the room. Upon Iran’s request, a proper voting took place with the results: 33 Member States against, 8 abstentions, 77 Member States in favour of the text: “ Member States affirm their commitment to implement these Regulations in a manner that respects and upholds their human rights obligations. These Regulations recognize the right of access of Member States to international telecommunication services ”. The Czech Republic voted against. The late night applauding and happy laughs of many delegations that voted for this Preamble were suddenly cut off by a statement by the US Secretary of State, declaring that the USA was “not able to sign the agreement in the current form. The Internet has given the world unimaginable economic and social benefit during these past 24 years. All without UN Regulation.” A number of other States, including the Czech Republic, followed with interventions in the same sense. Our position was perfectly articulated by the head of the UK delegation: “ I’m extremely concerned that the language just adopted for the Preamble opens the possibility of Internet and content issues” . Current state of the ITRs All delegations intended to formulate new ITRs, and nobody had predicted the option of not signing the Treaty. Based on the provisions of Article 55 of the ITU Constitution and Articles 31 and 32 of the ITU Convention, representatives of 89Member States signed the new ITRs on the last day of theWCIT-12 (14 December 2012), 55 out of a total 144 represented and duly accredited Member States did not join them, including all EU Member States, the Czech Republic among them: