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Thanks for your translation.  Please email contact@digistan.org to let us know it's ready.  We'll put it live as soon as we can.

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+ The Hague Declaration

//Adopted and proclaimed
by the founders of the Digital Standards Organization
in The Hague on 21 May 2008.//
[[/=]]

[!-- COMMENT TO TRANSLATORS: note that the URL refers to an English text.  For translations, see
http://www.unhchr.ch/udhr/navigate/alpha.htm
and insert the right URL below.
--]

Whereas almost 60 years ago the [http://www.un.org/Overview/rights.html Universal Declaration of Human Rights], established in international law these rights and freedoms:

# Freedom from discrimination by government or law (Article 2, Article 7).
# Freedom of movement within the borders of each state (Article 13.1).
# The right to participate in government (Article 21.1).
# The right of equal access to public services (Article 21.2).

[!-- COMMENT TO TRANSLATORS: please do not translate [[[page-name| in text, thanks. --]

Whereas these rights and freedoms are today accepted by every democratic government and [[[legal basis|backed by the constitutions]]] of most states;

Considering that all countries are moving, at different rates and from different starting points, towards a society in which full and effective participation in government and society, and access to public services, education and opportunity, are increasingly dependent upon access to electronic communications;

Considering more specifically that:

* Government information, services and resources are increasingly provided virtually rather than physically;
* Freedom of speech and association are increasingly exercised on line rather than in person;
* The Internet and the Web provide an unprecedented avenue to equality of education and opportunity for all peoples throughout the world;

Considering that the benefits of the Internet may only be guaranteed, and our hard-won human rights may only be preserved as we make the transition to a digital society, by ensuring affordable, equal access to the Internet, and if the openness of the Internet is also preserved;

Considering the unique role that [[[open standard:definition|free and open digital standards]]] can play in ensuring this result by fostering competition and innovation, lowering costs and increasing choice;

Considering that governments, through example and procurement, are uniquely able to ensure that all people achieve the benefits that free and open digital standards can provide;

Considering that these benefits are of particular importance to the economically, socially, and geographically disadvantaged peoples of the world;

Considering that there is increasing consensus on the attributes of a free and open digital standard;

We call on all governments to:

# Procure only information technology that implements free and open standards;
# Deliver e-government services based exclusively on free and open standards;
# Use only free and open digital standards in their own activities.

++ Signed

[[module SignPetition id="hague"]]

By signing the Hague Declaration you allow Digistan to publish your name, country, and comments on this site, and elsewhere.  You also become a Supporter of the Digital Standards Organization, and we may infrequently send you important news about the organization.  Please read the full [[[privacy policy]]].

[!-- COMMENT TO TRANSLATORS:
Note that contact@digistan.org speaks English. If you are able to handle contacts in your language tell us and we'll make you an alias @digistan.org.
--]

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++ Recent signatures

====