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Article

8 May 2015

Author:
Peter Micek & Deji Olukotun, Access

UN experts declare govt. shutdown of communication systems & internet violate human rights law

"Internet kill switches are a violation of human rights law, declare major UN and rights experts", 4 May 2015

Major UN and international rights experts have just declared that internet kill switches are absolutely impermissible under international human rights law, even in times of conflict. This historic statement holds that governments can no longer justify ordering telecommunications companies to shut off mobile or internet services in the face of social unrest or protest...The statement shows that internet connectivity is now being recognized as essential to the exercise of human rights...and is therefore fundamental to society worldwide. This paves the way for action by multiple parties. State and intergovernmental organizations...national and local law enforcement bodies, and corporations, can and should integrate these findings in their ongoing initiatives to protect and respect human rights...[T]he statement explains: Filtering of content on the Internet, using communications ‘kill switches’...and the physical takeover of broadcasting stations are measures which can never be justified under human rights law...[Refers to Twitter, Viber, Whatsapp (part of Facebook)]