PRESS STATEMENT: Statement on Possible Internet Disruptions during #RejectFinanceBill2024 Demonstrations

Nairobi, 24th June 2024c – Twenty-seven international organisations and Kenyan associations of content creators, lawyers, medical officers and human rights defenders express deep concerns about the potential of possible internet and mass media disruptions during this week’s demonstrations to #RejectFinanceBill2024.

The internet and mass media are critical for the enjoyment of the public’s right to be informed, citizen’s self-expression, e-commerce and the digital economy that is responsible for close to 10 per cent of the GDP. Shutting down or throttling the internet, shadow-banning hashtags, or a mass media ban on live reporting would be a gross violation of fundamental human rights. It will undermine the legitimate rights of people to organize, demonstrate and participate in policymaking processes.

#RejectFinanceBill2024 hashtag is not just a trending topic on social media. It symbolizes citizens organizing an important dialogue on the 2024 Finance Bill and its implications for our national economy and all our livelihoods.

Disrupting mass communication will also increase national uncertainty, cut off the public and authorities from reliable updates, and choke the timely deployment of emergency medical services and the tracing of missing persons. Internet shutdowns also halt online transactions, slow down economic activity, and cause economic harm. Internet and mass media disruptions severely restrict human rights monitoring and reporting of government security operations.

As documented in the ACCESS 2023 report, total or partial internet shutdowns are becoming familiar with Government strategies for responding to public protests. They also cover up grave violations of human rights, state-sanctioned violence against peaceful protestors, abductions and killings. The Kenyan authorities are obligated to protect the right to right to conscience, opinion, self-expression, and association as enshrined in Kenyan law and international frameworks to which they are party.

At this critical democratic juncture in Kenya, it is important that the government appreciates the crucial role of the internet and mass media in policy discourse and refrains from any form of internet shutdown or media interference. We call upon the Government of Kenya and the Communications Authority to affirm that the people of Kenya can access an open, reliable, secure and free internet and a free press at a time when they need it the most.

Should the Government of Kenya attempt to block or restrict social and mass media during the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests, we urge social media platforms to push back and uphold freedoms enshrined in Kenya’s constitution and international human rights standards. Censorship or restricting access to social and mass media will be unlawful and counterproductive at this time.

Signed by:

Access Now, Amnesty International Kenya, Article 19 Eastern Africa, the Law Society of Kenya, The Police Reforms Working Group, the Bloggers Association of Kenya, the Kenya Human Rights Commission, the Kenya Medical Association, Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), Kariobangi Paralegal Network, Defenders Coalition, Katiba Institute, Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), The Kenyan Section of the International Commission of Jurists (ICJ Kenya), International Justice Mission (IJM-K), HAKI Africa, Amnesty International Kenya, Women Empowerment Link, Social Welfare Development Program (SOWED), Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA- Kenya), International Centre for Transitional Justice (ICTJ – Kenya), Social Justice Centres Working Group (SJCW), Transparency International Kenya, Shield For justice, Wangu Kanja Foundation, Constitution and Reform Education Consortium (CRECO), Kenyans for Peace, Truth and Justice (KPTJ), Peace Brigades International Kenya. (PBI Kenya).