A United Nations expert has called on the
Government of Cameroun to restore services to predominantly English-speaking
parts of the country which have been cut off in “an appalling violation of
their right to freedom of expression” reports ITRealms.
The Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the
right to freedom of opinion and expression Mr. David Kaye said that he is particularly
concerned at the tightening of the space for free speech at a time where its
promotion and protection should be of the utmost importance.
His call is coming on the heels of avalanche of reports
that Cameroonians in the northwest and southwest regions, which are
predominantly English speaking, have been unable to connect to the internet
since 17 January. It also comes against a background of widespread protests
against government policies which have reportedly marginalized the country’s
English-speaking population.
Cameroon, he pointed out, has two official
languages namely French and English. But English speakers have long reported
that they face discrimination and marginalization, and are excluded from top
civil service positions and public services. They also complained their access
to justice is limited because the majority of legislation and judicial
proceedings are in French.
“A network shutdown of this scale violates
international law – it not only suppresses public debate, but also deprives
Cameroonians of access to essential services and basic resources,” said Mr.
Kaye, urging the government to restore internet facilities immediately.
In 2016, the Human Rights Council passed a resolution which unequivocally condemned
measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of
information online in violation of international human rights law, and called
on all States to refrain from and cease such measures.
This followed the 2015 Joint Declaration of UN and regional
experts in the field of freedom of expression, which stated that network
shutdowns or internet ‘kill switches’ are measures which can ‘never be
justified under human rights law’.
The UN Special Rapporteur will continue to monitor
developments in Cameroon closely, and is at the disposal of the authorities to
provide assistance or advice as required.
Remmy Nweke
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