Resolution on the Right to Freedom of Information and Expression on the Internet in Africa - ACHPR/Res. 362(LIX) 2016
Recognizingits mandate to promote and protect human and peoples’ rights pursuant to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (the African Charter); Reaffirming the fundamental right to freedom of information and expression enshrined under Article 9 of the African Charter and other international human rights instruments; Further reaffirming the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa, specifically Principle I(2) which provides that “everyone shall have an equal opportunity to exercise the right to freedom of expression and to access to information without discrimination” and Principle II(2) which provides that “any restrictions on freedom of expression shall be provided by law, serve a legitimate interest and be necessary in a democratic society;” Recalling Resolution ACHPR/Res.62 (XXXII) 02 on the adoption of the Declaration of Principles on Freedom of Expression in Africa...Further Recallingthe United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution HRC/RES/20/8 of 2012, which recognizes “the global and open nature of the Internet as a driving force in accelerating progress towards development in its various forms” and affirmsthat “the same rights that people have offline must also be protected online, in particular freedom of expression...The Commission...calls on States Parties to respect and take legislative and other measures to guarantee, respect and protect citizen’s right to freedom of information and expression through access to Internet services; Urges African citizens to exercise their right to freedom of information and expression in the Internet responsibly...