ICANN announced that it would take additional measures to provide security during its upcoming meeting that will take place in Marrakesh (Morocco). This announcement was a response to concerns expressed by some members of the Internet community earlier. They believe that North Africa might not be the best place for hosting big international forums, reports Domain Incite. ISIL terrorist group (an organization forbidden in many countries of the world, including Russian Federation) is quite active in the region and the ICANN meeting could be an attractive target for the terrorists.
ICANN’s statement reads that the organization is conducting a thorough monitoring and analysis of the situation in the region and is cooperating with the big international security-consulting firm. The results of analysis allow to consider the risk of terrorist attack in Morocco to be low. Nevertheless, additional security measures will be taken at the ICANN’s 55th meeting. In particular, entrance to the buildings where the event takes place, will be equipped with metal detectors. Registration of the participants will be more serious – it will be possible to get a badge only after showing a passport. In addition, personal belongings will be checked before entering the buildings. In hotels where the meeting participants are to stay additional security measures will also we implemented.
We remind that Marrakesh should have hosted the ICANN meeting last year; however, the event was moved to Singapore due to fears about the spread of Ebola virus in Africa. Second cancellation of the event seems extremely undesirable since it will most probably cause resentment on the part of African countries. 55th ICANN meeting is supposed to take place in Marrakesh from March 5th to March 10th.
