NAIROBI, Kenya-Ahead of a fresh round of nationwide protests, 27 international organizations and Kenyan associations of content creators, lawyers, medical officers, and human rights defenders have expressed deep concerns about the potential for internet and mass media disruptions during this week’s demonstrations to #RejectFinanceBill2024.
In a statement seen by Y News, the organisations stated that the internet and mass media are critical for the enjoyment of the public’s right to be informed, citizen’s self-expression, e-commerce and the digital economy responsible for close to 10 per cent of the GDP.
“Shutting down or throttling the internet, shadow-banning hashtags, or a mass media ban on live reporting would be a gross violation of fundamental human rights. It will undermine the legitimate rights of people to organise, demonstrate and participate in policymaking processes,” the statement reads in part.
According to the organisations, the #RejectFinanceBill2024 hashtag is not just a trending topic on social media.
“It symbolises citizens organising an important dialogue on the 2024 Finance Bill and its implications for our national economy and livelihoods. Disrupting mass communication will also increase national uncertainty, cut off the public and authorities from reliable updates, and choke the timely deployment of emergency medical services and tracing missing persons,” the statement further reads.
The organisations claim that internet shutdowns also halt online transactions, slow economic activity, and cause financial harm. Internet and mass media disruptions severely restrict human rights monitoring and reporting of government security operations.
“As documented in the ACCESS 2023 report, total or partial internet shutdowns are becoming familiar with Government strategies for responding to public protests. They also cover up grave violations of human rights, state-sanctioned violence against peaceful protestors, abductions and killings,” the report reads.
According to the organisations, should the Kenya government attempt to block or restrict social and mass media during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests, they urge social media platforms to push back and uphold freedoms enshrined in Kenya’s constitution and international human rights standards.
The statement was signed by Access Now, Amnesty International Kenya, Article 19 Eastern Africa, the Law Society of Kenya, The Police Reforms Working Group, the Bloggers Association of Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, and the Kenya Medical Association.
