Dear all,
I would like to suggest a refinement regarding where our work could be headed, for the workgroup in general and more precisely for this paper.
Considering the wording of the HR bylaw (here for your convenience, with my emphasis):
In performing its Mission, the following "Core Values" should also guide the decisions and actions of ICANN:
(viii) Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 27.2, within the scope of its Mission and other Core Values, respecting internationally recognized human rights as required by applicable law. This Core Value does not create, and shall not be interpreted to create, any obligation on ICANN outside its Mission, or beyond obligations found in applicable law. This Core Value does not obligate ICANN to enforce its human rights obligations, or the human rights obligations of other parties, against other parties.
I think it would make sense to consider "applicable law" as, more precisely, how HR enforcement or operationalisation by governments (including EU here) may affect ICANN's operations (which also include its community "activities" like PDPs)
This in my view would be interesting, given that human rights are first and foremost a legal relation between states and individuals and impose duty on states. That does not mean that HRs are not relevant to ICANN, on the contrary! By virtue of what ICANN "does", there may be interference, and there actually is, when we consider the GDPR, for example.
Even if we were to adopt a very strict reading of the law applicable to ICANN, its operations and the activities of the community (i.e. US Federal and California law only, disregarding offices abroad), because such operations and activities are likely to have "effects" anywhere in the world, someone, somewhere (anywhere!) could raise a HR entitlement to its government against ICANN. Again, this is very visible in the case of the GDPR.
I obviously am volunteer to spell out this refinement more precisely, but I look forward to cooperating with any of you! I am also looking forward to reading your comments on this idea.
Best,
Raphael