Its broadly accepted that theres a close relationship between development and access to information.
Increasingly over the past two decades, the internet has been a major factor affecting the right to development.
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The paper concluded that internet shutdowns have impeded the right to development and posed threats to democratic development.
It further identified possible remedial steps.
These include interventions by courts on internet shutdowns, active participation of the private sector, and multi-stakeholder approaches.
Combined, these can help ensure democratic governance on internet policy.
The first caseof internet shutdown in sub-Saharan Africa was in Guinea in 2007.
In the intervening years,light has been shoneon the devastating impact of shutdowns in the region.
Governments that have ordered internet shutdowns have cited several reasons.
This happens especially during important political events.
And it is often to prevent citizen organizations and to restrict the flow of access to information.
A recent example is Ethiopia where partial internet access was restored in mid-July 2020after a two-week shutdown.
The impact on rights
Ourresearchshowed how internet shutdowns affect civil and political as well as socio-economic rights.
We found that human rights law as enshrined in African constitutions and international human rights law were grossly violated.
An example of how internet shutdowns have affected socio-economic rights was Somalia in 2017.
During one three-weekinternet shutdown, critical medical paperwork couldnt be delivered.
Patients were unable to access health services as they were unable to complete online medical paperwork.
There was also an obstruction to humanitarian assistance.
The economic cost of internet shutdowns has also been found to be severe.
What next
Courts can play an important role in providing redress in relation to internet shutdowns.
Two examples illustrate this.
In addition, the private sector, particularly internet service providers, need to be recognized as important actors.
Another important player is civil society.
A partnership between the two could provide both a stronger role against shutdowns.
An example of this throw in of collaboration is theGlobal online grid Initiative.
