The impact of internet shutdown on freedom of expression in Ethiopia
Posted: 16 October, 2024 Filed under: Fenot Mekonen Hailu | Tags: Access to Information, Access to the internet, censorship, civil unrest, conflict, democracy, electronic communications, essential information, Ethiopia, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia's Constitution, flow of information, freedom of expression, fundamental freedoms, human rights, information blackout, international law, internet restrictions, internet shutdown, right to freedom of expression, UN human rights instruments 2 Comments
Author: Fenot Mekonen Hailu
LLM Candidate, Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria
Introduction
Access to the internet is essential for many aspects of daily life. Even though it is not explicitly classified as a human right, it is considered an enabler for the enjoyment of human rights.[1] One of the threats to internet access nowadays is internet shutdowns. An internet shutdown typically involves the deliberate disruption of internet or electronic communications, rendering them partially or fully inaccessible.[2] These shutdowns often target specific populations or regions to control the flow of information, though they can sometimes impact entire countries.[3] Despite the internet’s crucial role in communication, information sharing, and exercising fundamental freedoms, internet shutdowns have become an alarming issue across the world.[4] The internet has greatly enhanced free speech, enabling individuals to express their opinions without fear of censorship or retribution. It has also encouraged the exchange of ideas and facilitated the spread of information, benefiting society.[5] However, this fundamental right is threatened in Ethiopia by a concerning pattern of internet shutdowns. In response to protests, civil unrest, and other forms of social and political activism, the government has resorted to invasive shutdowns. These measures significantly limit citizens’ freedom of expression, impede democratic dialogue, and obstruct the flow of essential information in society, [6]leaving millions uninformed and potentially infringing on their rights to freedom of expression, access to information, assembly, and association, as well as other human rights.[7]The right to freedom of expression is protected under international law and most national constitutions. This right has evolved to encompass the internet as a vital communication medium, raising important questions about the extent to which internet access is protected under existing normative principles.[8]
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