Civil society organizations in Pakistan have expressed concern over the increasing instances of internet shutdowns and social media platform blocking in the lead-up to and following the general elections. They argue that these actions infringe upon freedom of expression and access to information, undermining political discourse [ea12e72d].
The disruptions began after former Rawalpindi commissioner Liaquat Chattha accused the chief election commissioner and chief justice of Pakistan of involvement in rigging the February 8 general elections. Similar disruptions were also observed during the general elections [b95b151f].
Human rights activists and civil society organizations have called for the repeal of laws enabling censorship, transparency in decision-making processes, and adherence to international commitments on freedom of expression and access to information. They emphasize that such actions have a direct impact on citizens' human rights, including the right to political participation [ea12e72d].
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been criticized for its lack of transparency and accountability in blocking platforms and disrupting internet services. Information Minister Ataullah Tarar has stated that he is against censorship but also emphasized the need to protect the state [b95b151f].
Civil society organizations involved in this condemnation include Bolo Bhi, Media Matters for Democracy, Human Rights Watch, Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Aurat March Lahore, Pakistan Digital Editors Alliance, and several activists and journalists [b95b151f].
Amnesty International, along with human rights activists and civil society organizations, has called on the Pakistani government to immediately restore social media platform Twitter, which has been blocked in the country since February 17. The platform ban came after the blockage of mobile phone services on election day, February 8. Amnesty International stated that the blocking of platforms and the prolonged disruption of Twitter is a sobering illustration of growing digital censorship in Pakistan. The organization criticized the PTA for its silence and lack of transparency in the decision-making process. Amnesty International and its partners called for the government to unblock Twitter, repeal laws facilitating censorship, and make decisions impacting internet usage transparent. Activists are continuing their legal battle to secure the restoration of Twitter in Pakistan [0812b7f5] [503eebff].
Amnesty International has also expressed concern over the deteriorating human rights situation in Pakistan. The organization has urged the Pakistani government to take immediate action to protect the rights of individuals who have been detained without trial. Amnesty International has called for the release of those who have been imprisoned for exercising their right to freedom of expression. The organization has also called on the Pakistani authorities to investigate cases of enforced disappearances and hold those responsible accountable. Amnesty International has urged the international community to put pressure on the Pakistani government to address the human rights situation in the country. The organization has called for targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for human rights abuses in Pakistan. Additionally, Amnesty International has called on the Pakistani government to repeal laws that restrict freedom of expression and assembly. The organization has called for the establishment of an independent and impartial mechanism to investigate allegations of human rights violations in Pakistan [1c8eabeb].
In Myanmar, the government has taken measures to control the flow of information and restrict freedom of expression. The State Administration Council (SAC) blocked access to Facebook and other websites and messaging applications after the coup d’etat of 2021. In response, Myanmar citizens turned to virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent the censorship. However, the SAC has been actively blocking access to VPNs, pushing people towards alternatives from obscured sources and exposing them to more cyber threats. Phishing attacks have increased in post-coup Myanmar, targeting activists and now the general public. The low digital literacy and lack of data hygiene awareness among citizens make them vulnerable to these cyber threats. The ban on VPNs and social media platforms has made access to information and online communication difficult for the citizens. Addressing the issue of digital rights in Myanmar requires addressing the larger issue of the junta's repeated violations of rights and freedoms. International pressure may be necessary to address the situation [5898364a] [a2305a6e].
Meanwhile, in Turkey, a report reveals that the government blocked over 219,000 URLs in 2023 as part of its internet censorship measures. The Free Web Turkey 2023 Internet Censorship Report states that the censored URLs included 14,680 news articles, with a focus on allegations of corruption and misconduct involving public officials and individuals close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP). The report provides a comprehensive list of blocked digital materials, including domain names, news articles, social media posts, social media accounts, reviews on Google Maps, Google search results, mobile applications, Google Drive files, email addresses, and Google documents. The most censored topics were alleged corruption and misconduct, crimes against women and children, and organized crime. The primary subjects of the blocked news articles were public officials, private citizens, AKP affiliates, companies, and President Recep Tayyip ErdoÄŸan and his family. Religious groups were also targeted, with 221 blocked articles across 11 separate decisions. The main reason for blocking articles was the 'violation of personal rights,' particularly libel. Domain name blocks were most prevalent, with government-critical and pro-Kurdish news websites being targeted. The report highlights the poor record of press freedom in Turkey, which ranked 153rd out of 180 countries in RSF's World Press Freedom Index [d212ade2].
In a recent statement, Daniel Castro, Vice President of the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), warned that internet restrictions in Pakistan may provide short-term political benefits but threaten long-term economic stability. He described Pakistan's internet censorship as a 'puzzle' and 'anomaly,' emphasizing the economic costs of shutdowns, including loss of talent and businesses. Castro urged the government to prioritize internet freedom for economic stability, highlighting the negative impacts on freelancers and women entrepreneurs. He noted a surge in VPN subscriptions as a sign of the high cost of restrictions, estimating potential losses in economic output could reach millions of dollars per day. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto also criticized the government's internet policies and the disparity in internet speeds, underscoring the need for Pakistan to reconsider its internet policies to maintain global competitiveness [babccd6c].