Internet shutdowns “not justified” in coronavirus outbreak
Bangkok, Thailand/Addis Ababa, EthiopiaThomson Reuters Foundation Internet shutdowns cannot be justified at a time when access to information is critical to containing the deadly coronavirus pandemic, human rights groups have warned. The outbreak has infected more than 245,000 people worldwide and the death toll now exceeds 10,000, according to a Reuters tally. “Internet access is […]
UN surveillance expert urges global moratorium on sale of spyware
Geneva, SwitzerlandReuters The world should impose a moratorium on the sale and use of surveillance software until there are rules in place to stop governments using it to spy on opponents and critics, a UN expert recommended. David Kaye, the UN special rapporteur on freedom of expression, submitted his recommendations in a report published on […]
Senior UN officials calls for restoration of internet in DRC following December election
A senior UN official has called for authorities to restore internet service in the Democratic Republic of Congo, saying that a general network shutdown is a “clear violation of international law and cannot be justified”. Internet and text services were cut following the recent election in the DRC. A government spokesman has reportedly said the […]
New Maldives law a “direct attack” on free speech with religious element “particularly worrying”, says un human rights expert
A new law introduced in the Maldives is a “direct attack” on free speech and the use of religion as grounds for doing so was “particularly worrying”, according to a UN human rights expert. The Muslim-majority Indian Ocean nation’s parliament adopted the Protection of Reputation and Good Name and Freedom of Expression Bill on 9th August. […]