Dehai Charta

A. Purpose

The purpose of this Charter is to promote freedom of expression, and to facilitate an open environment in which members may express a diversity of opinion that is to be both welcomed and respected. All subscribers are duty bound to abide by and preserve the spirit of the Charter.

B. Mission

Dehai serves as a free, unmoderated, and open communication medium among Eritreans and non-Eritrean friends of Eritrea for the purpose of discussing and exchanging information on Eritrean society, history, politics, economy, technology, culture, languages and current affairs.

C. Objectives

The main objective is to provide a forum for interested Eritreans and non-Eritreans to engage in solving Eritrea's problems by sharing information, discussing issues, publicizing and participating in existing projects and proposing ideas for future projects. A parallel objective is to develop productive modes of communication via technology media such as electronic mailing lists, computer bulletin boards, FAX machines to explore potential for building constructive relationships amongst subscribers of Dehai and to execute projects successfully. This modus operandi will prove to be a much needed skill/resource as it can foster a speedy flow of ideas to and from Eritreans and friends of Eritrea , abroad and at home and should be imparted as and when Eritrea's technology infrastructure develops.

D. Membership

Dehai membership is open to all Eritreans and friends of Eritrea, called dehai associate members in this charter, without regard to race, religion, gender, age, national origin, political affiliation, or personal beliefs. The Host of Dehai is a volunteer. The rest of the facilitators are elected by Eritrean Dehai members from among themselves , for renewable periods of six months each according with the Voting Procedures. It is the responsibility of the facilitators to fill in any vacancies, including the appointment of Acting facilitator(s) to take on any of the above-mentioned responsibilities in case of prolonged absence of one of the facilitators. Other than the responsibilities outlined above, facilitators do not enjoy any special privileges or powers. They are not to be held responsible or liable for the views, opinions, or conduct of any Dehai subscriber.

E. Code of Conduct

Subscribers of Dehai SHALL NOT post articles that degrade or insult any subscriber, or group of subscribers', beliefs, creed, race, religion, gender, age, or national origin.
Every subscriber of Dehai is to abide by the above Charter and is held responsible to it. Becoming a subscriber automatically entails the member's full responsibility to contribute in accordance with the above-stated Purpose and and Code of Conduct.
The subscription of repeat violators of Dehai's code of conduct may be suspended or cancelled.

F. Posting Guidelines

To enhance the value of Dehai mailing list and protect the common interest defined in its mission and objectives, the following posting rules are recommended to guide subscribers:

All postings must reflect the stated mission of Dehai and be consistent with its objectives. Otherwise, private e-mail should be used.
All subscribers posting should introduce themselves to the mailing list the first time and identify themselves by name in subsequent postings.
English is the conventional language of the network. Other languages can be used, however it is highly recommended that posters include an abstract or a complete English translation. Idiomatic expressions can be translated at the discretion of the poster. The use of multiple languages is intended to reflect the linguistic diversity of Eritrea and expression from expatriate Eritreans in different countries. Ultimately, it is hoped that all subscribers should be able to participate comfortably and productively.
Considerations should be made that all mailings to the Dehai mailing list can be subject to corporate and institutional audits.
Postings should primarily address issues and not only critique or embarrass a subscriber or group of subscribers.
Subscribers should conform to existing copyright laws, post advertsing-free information, provide factual representations in terms of sources, document references, quotes, dates and places to substantiate opinions instead of submitting hasty generalizations. A good practice is to explicitly state one's assumptions and interpretations, and define ambiguous terms.
Subscribers should grant the benefit of the doubt when attempting to figure out motivations -- if any -- behind postings. Before ex- pressing criticisms, subscribers are encouraged to explore privately e-mailed, diplomatic requests for clarifications. Such an approach should preempt misunderstandings, stop communication barriers from building up and provide respondents with an opportunity to explain their postings.
Diversity within the Dehai mailing list entails that subscribers' be sensitive to different value/belief systems and point of views. A reasoned posting should factor extant diversity and aim beyond issues at hand toward better understanding and respect.

G. Disclaimer

Dehai is not an organization nor an association. Opinions expressed on Dehai belong to those individuals voicing them. In particular, they do not represent the positions or opinions of current or former subscribers of Dehai. In no way do these opinions pertain to the institutions at which current and former subscribers of Dehai work or have worked, nor of those institutions at which the resources used by Dehai happen to be located at present or have been located in the past.

APPENDIX: Dehai Fora and Addresses

See the Dehai FAQ.