Session Description:
Internet shutdowns have become an alarming trend in many countries, especially during critical times such as protests, elections, and civil unrest. These shutdowns often lead to the violation of human rights, particularly freedom of expression, access to information, and the ability to participate in democratic processes. In Africa, there has been a rise in the number of internet shutdowns, severely affecting citizens' ability to communicate, mobilize, and hold governments accountable.
This session, organized by the Ghana School on Internet Governance (GhanaSIG) Fellows, will explore the negative impact of internet shutdowns on human rights and discuss actionable strategies and mechanisms to prevent them. Drawing from real-world examples, legal frameworks, and technical solutions, the panel will examine how governments, civil society, and international bodies can work together to protect the internet from being used as a tool of repression. The discussion will focus on ensuring a free, open, and secure internet during protests, elections, and other key moments in civic life.
In 2023, Access Now and the #KeepItOn coalition documented 283 shutdowns in 39 countries. These are staggering results, marking the highest number of shutdown incidents.
From Senegal to Ethiopia, Nepal to India, and Israel to Russia, governments continued to shut down the internet and critical digital communication platforms to muzzle expression, block access to life-saving information, and cover up heinous crimes against humanity.
Despite the increasing momentum gathering globally against the use of internet shutdowns and key examples of past offenders charting a new course, shutdowns are continuing to emerge as the go-to tool for both democratic and authoritarian regimes to suppress fundamental human rights.

Session Objectives:
To highlight the human rights implications of internet shutdowns during protests and elections.
To identify legal and policy measures that can prevent internet shutdowns and protect digital rights.
To explore technical solutions and civil society strategies that can mitigate the impact of shutdowns.
To provide recommendations for multi-stakeholder collaboration to uphold internet freedom during critical national events.

Expected Outcomes:
Increased awareness of the impact of internet shutdowns on human rights and democratic processes.
Practical recommendations for preventing internet shutdowns through legal, technical, and advocacy mechanisms.
Strengthened collaboration between governments, civil society, and technical communities to protect digital rights.
Actionable steps for engaging with policymakers to foster transparency and accountability in digital governance.