In a crisply worded declaration, over 100 civil society organizations and privacy experts from more than 40 countries have set out an expansive statement on the future of privacy. The Madrid Declaration affirms that privacy is a fundamental human right and reminds "all countries of their obligations to safeguard the civil rights of their citizens and residents." The Madrid Declaration warns that "privacy law and privacy institutions have failed to take full account of new surveillance practices." The Declaration urges countries "that have not yet established a comprehensive framework for privacy protection and an independent data protection authority to do so as expeditiously as possible." The civil society groups and experts recommend a "moratorium on the development or implementation of new systems of mass surveillance." Finally, the Declaration calls for the "establishment of a new international framework for privacy protection, with the full participation of civil society, that is based on the rule of law, respect for fundamental human rights, and support for democratic institutions." The Madrid Declaration was released at the Public Voice conference in Madrid on Global Privacy Standards. Multiple translations of the Declaration are available.
You can still sign the Madrid Declaration until January 28, 2010, International Privacy Day. Please, send your signature to privacy @ datos-personales DOT org
This is a listing of events which may be useful for civil society to participate, connect and network on issues relating to information and communication technologies and policies.
The Public Voice Conference:
"Privacy Rights are a Global Challenge"
The Public Voice
Punta del Este
Uruguay
October 22, 2012
The Public Voice Civil Society Meeting: "Next Generation Privacy Challenges and Opportunities"
Lillie Coney, Chair
EPIC Associate Director
The Public Voice
Jerusalem
October 25, 2010
Madrid - Spain. The Public Voice: Global Privacy Standards in a Global World
November 3, 2009
Sharm El Sheikh - Egypt. United Nations. IV Internet Governance Forum November 15-18, 2009
OECD 2008 Ministerial Meeting on the Future of the Internet Economy
Civil Society Privacy Conference
Montreal
Sept. 25, 2007
OECD Participative Web Forum
Ottawa
Oct. 3, 2007
Participation in the World Summit on the Information Society Internet Governance Caucus »
The Public Voice Conference:
"Our Data, Our Lives"
The Public Voice
Warsaw
Poland
September 24, 2012