BRICS propose Internet control based on democracy, human rights protection
UFA. July 9 (Interfax) - The leaders of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) stressed the need to develop an Internet control mechanism on the basis of an open and democratic process, according to a declaration adopted at the end of a BRICS summit.
"We support the evolution of the Internet governance ecosystem, which should be based on an open and democratic process, free from the influence of any unilateral considerations," the declaration reads
The document stresses the need to protect the same human rights on the Internet which exist outside the world wide web.
"We consider that the Internet is a global resource and that states should participate on an equal footing in its evolution and functioning, taking into account the need to involve relevant stakeholders in their respective roles and responsibilities," the document reads
The declaration also calls for rules of online behavior to be devised and approved on an international level.