Session
Human Rights & Freedoms
Internet Shutdowns
Organizer 1: Radhika Jhalani, Software Freedom Law Centre
Organizer 2: Namrata Maheshwari, 🔒
Speaker 1: Radhika Jhalani, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 2: Raman Jit Singh Chima, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Speaker 3: Prasanth Sugathan, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Namrata Maheshwari, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Radhika Jhalani, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Radhika Jhalani, Civil Society, Asia-Pacific Group
Panel - 60 Min
1. How do Internet shutdowns work with promises of digital inclusion?
2. How should the global community respond to Internet shutdowns?Wai
3. What is the impact of positions taken by governments in multilateral fora like the G7 and G20?
What will participants gain from attending this session? Our world rapidly transforming into a web of devices and services connected by the internet. Attempts to hamper access to the internet therefore have far reaching consequences because it is turning into an essential service. Our session will delve into questions that are necessary to discuss to outline the role of UNnations in engaging and facilitating change in multilateral fora to prevent internet shutdowns, without which the goal of ensuring meaningful access to ICT and the internet cannot be achieved.
Description:
India has imposed the maximum shutdowns for 5 years in a row according to Access Now's 2022 Keep It On report. Myanmar has also seen a spate of shutdowns amid crises over the last few years, amplifying the adverse impact on human rights. The imposition of shutdowns, across regions, runs counter to the global focus on emerging tech and the push for 5G and increased access and inclusion. They deepen the digital divide, between countries, between rural and urban areas, and between genders.
In 2021, the G7 foreign ministers’ statement criticised internet shutdowns. India holds the G20 presidency this year, and despite the focus on digitisation, the digital economy and inclusion/access, internet shutdowns and their effect on deepening the digital divide are strikingly absent from the agenda. This is also at odds with the fact that India has been ranked No. 1 on Digital Payments globally, is pacing towards its "Digital India" goal.
This session will bring together subject matter experts from India and Myanmar, the regions most routinely impacted by shutdowns, a government representative from a G7 nation, and a government representative from India, which is presiding over G20 this year, to address issues such as:
- What effect to internet shutdowns have on people's rights, the digital divide and on efforts to enable greater access and inclusion?
- How can multilateral engagements like the G7 and G20 facilitate impact at a national level?
- Has the G7 statement against shutdowns in 2021 had any tangible consequences?
- How can the ongoing G20 process, presided over by India, be made truly inclusive?
- Should internet shutdowns form part of G20 discussions about the digital economy and inclusion?
- What is the impact of positions taken by governments in multilateral fora like the G7 and G20?
.c. Significantly increase access to information and communications technology and strive to provide universal and affordable access to the Internet in least developed countries by 2020"
Our world rapidly transforming into a web of devices and services connected by the internet. Attempts to hamper access to the internet therefore have far reaching consequences because it is turning into an essential service. Our session will delve into questions that are necessary to discuss to outline the role of UNnations in engaging and facilitating change in multilateral fora to prevent internet shutdowns, without which the goal of ensuring meaningful access to ICT and the internet cannot be achieved.
Hybrid Format: We will allocate at least 25 minutes in the 60-minute session for open interaction and Q&A with all participants. The online moderator will monitor questions/comments shared by virtual participants and ensure that they are brought into the discussion. Our wide networks will also allow us to ensure diverse participation from different regions and stakeholder groups that are impacted by the issues outlined for the session.