U.N. Report Declares Internet Access a Human Right

The governments which are not ready to allow the internet when they feel that their grip on power is threatened should be more scared. A UN report on Friday declared that inhibiting someone’s access to internet is a grave violation of his/her human right. The report particularly pointed to France and United Kingdom

The report reads in part

While blocking and filtering measures deny users access to specific content on the Internet, states have also taken measures to cut off access to the Internet entirely. The Special Rapporteur considers cutting off users from internet access, regardless of the justification provided, including on the grounds of violating intellectual property rights law, to be disproportionate and thus a violation of article 19, paragraph 3, of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

And it continues

The Special Rapporteur calls upon all states to ensure that Internet access is maintained at all times, including during times of political unrest. In particular, the Special Rapporteur urges States to repeal or amend existing intellectual copyright laws which permit users to be disconnected from Internet access, and to refrain from adopting such laws.

The report was compiled by the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression. It came on the same day an internet-monitoring firm detected that two thirds of Syria’s internet access had abruptly gone offline with fingers pointing at the government.