March 14, 2024
Muhammad Junaid
LAHORE:
After almost a month since the blocking of X in Pakistan on February 17, human rights activists and civil society organisations have come together to form a collective aimed at condemning the increasing instances of Internet and social media blackouts.
Civil society statement on continued network shutdowns and platform blocking in Pakistan
We, a collective of human rights activists and civil society organisations, express profound concern over the increasing instances of #internetshutdowns and #socialmedia platform blocking,… pic.twitter.com/7O22IjPpUK
— Voicepk.net (@voicepkdotnet) March 14, 2024
Some ten leading organisations, including the Human Rights of Pakistan, Human Rights Watch, Asma Jahangir Legal Aid Cell (AGHS), Media Matters for Democracy and others, along with dozens of media experts, rights activists and politicians are supporting the campaign, #InternetKholo, launched online o March 13, 2024.
Voicepk is leading the media campaign by publishing personal statements from prominent media persons and politicians. Statements from Hamid Mir, Asma Sherazi, Maria Memon, and Habib Akram and others were released on March 14. In the coming days, additional statements from individuals affected by or concerned about restrictions on free speech and expression will be shared.
The campaign statement iterates that the action to block Internet and social media platforms not only infringe on the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and access to information but also sets a troubling precedent of throttling genuine political discourse in the country.
It states that the arbitrary blocking of social media platforms, prominently the prolonged and unannounced disruption of X is a sobering illustration of growing digital censorship in the country – “Such actions not only silence diverse political voices, but also create an environment which contributes to the spread of misinformation”.
In his campaign video, Usama Khilji, digital activist and director of Bolo Bhi, voices concern over the silence of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), describing it as extremely alarming – “The PTA has failed to provide any reasons for the blocking of X”. He says that X can only be accessed through virtual private networks (VPNs), and “even those have been partially blocked in Pakistan”.
The campaign asserts that the absence of transparency in the decision-making processes surrounding network shutdowns and platform blocking and complete disregard for any accountability has resulted in an obvious erosion of trust between the state and its citizens. “We are also dismayed by reports of throttling of VPNs, undermining people’s access to information and right to privacy,” the statement reads.
It calls for immediate action to reverse the course of digital censorship in Pakistan, and urges the government and public bodies to repeal sections of the law such as Section 37 of PECA that enable censorship and violate Article 19 right to freedom of speech and press freedom and Article 19-A right of access to information. It further demands the state to act with transparency on decisions that impact the free use of the Internet, including for political and economic purposes.
The campaign also focuses on preventing future actions that obstruct the free flow of information and adversely affect political discourse in the country. It states that all legislative proposals expanding control and censorship over the internet including the e-safety bill from the previous government’s tenure should be taken back.
It demands the state to abide by Pakistan’s commitments to uphold freedom of expression and right to access to information under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights –“We urge the incoming government, regulators and other public bodies to recognise that any action that affects the flow of information and limits citizen’s ability to express themselves, has a direct and lingering impact on citizen’s human rights including the right to political participation.”
The campaign welcomes participation from all citizens of Pakistan. It invites everyone to submit short statements condemning the restrictions on freedom of speech and information.
Munizae Jahangir, editor-in-chief of Voicepk and a campaign partner, says, “We deserve to move forward towards freedom, not despair,” and urges people to step forwards and “khulke bolo”(speak your heart out!).