A coalition of organizations has condemned the Nigerian government’s recent internet disruptions following nationwide protests on August 1. This move, they argue, breaches both national and international human rights standards.
The coalition, including major groups such as the Accountability Lab Nigeria, Africa Cybersecurity Alliance, BONews Service, Human Rights Journalists Network, Media Rights Agenda, among others, reports that internet speed throttling was used to hinder the flow of information during the unrest.
This action, they claim, violates Nigerian constitutional rights and international agreements guaranteeing freedom of expression and access to information.
They emphasize that such disruptions damage not only communication but also vital services like financial transactions and essential commerce.
The coalition urges the government to halt these measures immediately, recalling a previous court ruling against a similar Twitter ban in 2021, which deemed such actions unlawful.
The statement calls for an open and accessible internet to support citizen communication and uphold transparency and accountability, critical during times of political tension.