GENEVA - New restrictions on internet access and social media channels in Afghanistan are a violation of the rights of Afghans, UN experts warned* today, a week after the Taliban lifted a nationwide telecommunications shutdown they had imposed earlier.
"These new restrictions, although more filtered than blanket at this stage, can be understood as part of a wider and deliberate strategy to control public discourse and regulate societal conduct. We call on the de facto authorities to immediately reinstate full access and refrain from further restrictions that violate civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights."
Since 7 October, the Taliban has restricted access to popular social media platforms. The move follows a two-day nationwide telecommunications shutdown from 29 September. Connectivity was largely restored on 1 October.
Shutdowns and restrictions on social media platforms severely restrict the rights to freedom of expression and access to information, cutting vital lines of communication. They not only further isolate Afghans from the global community, they disconnect them from family members abroad who provide critical support including through remittances.
"Internet and telecommunications shutdowns seriously impede other rights, including to work, health and education and, in a context like Afghanistan, would very likely further increase poverty, unemployment and food insecurity," the experts warned.
"Cutting or otherwise limiting connectivity also seriously undermines commercial activity, impacting Afghanistan's already fragile economy," they added.
"Women and girls are disproportionately affected. Many are heavily dependent on online platforms for learning, online work and business opportunities, and virtual social spaces," the experts said. "A deterioration in women and girls' mental health is a likely further impact."
In line with Afghanistan's human rights obligations, the Taliban must ensure that any restrictions to the rights to freedom of expression and access to information are provided by law and are a necessary and proportionate response to a specific concern, the experts said.
They warned that restricting internet and telecommunications impedes critical humanitarian support for communities in need, including those affected by natural disasters or those forcibly returned from neighbouring countries. Human rights defenders and independent journalists, who are already facing intensifying Taliban repression, are even further restricted in their ability to document and report on the situation in the country, the experts said.
"Any efforts to silence Afghan voices not only hampers efforts to hold perpetrators accountable, they may enable human rights violations to continue unchecked," they warned.
