This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
December 10, 2019
David Kaye, a UN expert, has urged the Ethiopian government to stop shutting down the internet, citing concerns over the frequent disruptions.
According to Kaye, internet shutdowns are almost always in violation of the right to freedom of opinion and expression. He emphasized that the government should not use internet shutdowns as a tool, stating, “I’ve asked several times. ‘Where do you have the authority in law to shut down the internet?’ Nobody could give me an answer,” in an interview with VOA.
Notably, Ethiopia has shut down the internet nine times this year, primarily during national exams and public protests. The government has also blocked the internet or specific social media sites during elections and other periods deemed to be a crisis.
Kaye praised the reforms implemented by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the Nobel Peace Prize for achieving peace with neighboring Eritrea. However, he noted that more reforms are needed to address the issue of internet shutdowns.
He also highlighted the responsibility of social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube to moderate content and ensure posts are accurate, even with a relatively small presence in Ethiopia.
