Mozambique: Internet shutdown a violation of human rights and small businesses are suffering as a result
International NGO Human Rights Watch has urged authorities in Mozambique to restore the internet in the country as the continuation of the blackout is a violation of human rights. The internet restrictions have inflicted significant harm on the rights and livelihoods of residents, Human Rights Watch said. Three online traders told Human Rights Watch that their inability to promote their products on social media platforms severely hampered their activities. The restrictions have also severely affected students, who had transitioned to online classes during the street protests that the police violently repressed. A 19-year-old university student said: “For more than a week now, I cannot use WhatsApp to exchange information with classmates or download reading materials the lecturer sent. The mobile internet is very unstable, and I can barely connect to Zoom to attend online classes. I am very worried and anxious because this is exams season.”