[NCUC-EC] Proposed statement on the sexual harassment issue

[Robin Gross]

I have big problems with this statement.  If I believe someone harasses me, you can bet I reserve my right to say so, publicly, if I want.  And I must take responsibility for the statements - if they are false, I can be sued for defamation.  The other person can always give another side to the story.  An accusation is only an accusation.  

I would not support a NCUC statement that requires people who believed they were harassed to be quiet about it.  Sorry, this proposed statement goes way too far in infringing free speech in my view.

Robin


> On Mar 19, 2016, at 3:01 PM, Mueller, Milton L <milton at gatech.edu> wrote:
> 
> Dear fellow EC members:
>  
> Three of us have developed the following statement to address the controversy. Please let us know quickly whether you support it.
>  
> STATEMENT OF THE NONCOMMERCIAL USERS CONSTITUENCY EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
>  
> In response to Ms. Padmini Baruah's "Statement on Sexual Harassment at ICANN 55" the NCUC Executive Committee wishes to make it clear that:
>  
> 1. NCUC EC supports the development of a policy on sexual harassment by ICANN, but we do not support the disclosure of the name of the accused and the content of private correspondence on open mailing lists. We firmly believe that privacy and confidentiality are essential rights that both accused and accuser should enjoy equally.
>  
> 2. We believe an adoption of a policy that clearly defines the process and imposes proper safeguards for both sides will allow such controversies to be avoided in the future.
>  
> 3. In order to avoid the potential for abuse of such a policy and to avoid inculcating a climate of fear and intimidation around interpersonal interactions in the diverse ICANN community, any such policy must:
>  
>      a) be developed in an atmosphere of impartial, open discussion in which all viewpoints can be heard
>  
>      b) be based on clear, unambiguous standards that can be readily understood by ICANN participants
>  
>      c) respect the procedural and substantive rights of both the accuser and the accused
>  
>  
> Dr. Milton L. Mueller
> Professor, School of Public Policy
> Georgia Institute of Technology
>  
>  
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