In today’s interconnected world, communication is not just a luxury but a fundamental aspect of survival. Access to the internet has become indispensable for safety, accessing information, maintaining human connections, and earning a livelihood in the modern digital economy. For millions of people, the internet is not only a tool for communication but also a primary source of income, enabling remote work, online businesses, and financial independence.

Despite this, various governments worldwide continue to impose internet shutdowns that last for days, or even weeks, effectively isolating millions of individuals from the global community.

Internet shutdowns are not merely inconveniences; they are acts that can have dire consequences. Shutting off access to the internet endangers lives by preventing people from accessing emergency services, staying informed during crises, and contacting loved ones. It also destroys sources of income, cutting off people from their jobs, businesses, and economic survival. It stifles free speech and silences dissent, undermining democratic principles and violating fundamental human rights.

Current international policies do not adequately address the gravity of prolonged internet shutdowns, often treating them as mere disruptions rather than breaches of human rights. This oversight results in a lack of accountability for governments that repeatedly employ such tactics to suppress free expression and shield themselves from scrutiny.

We urge international human rights organizations and governing bodies, such as the United Nations, to formally recognize any government-imposed internet shutdown lasting more than 72 hours as a violation of human rights. By doing so, they will reinforce the message that access to information, communication, and economic opportunity is a pivotal human right in the digital age.

Official recognition will pave the way for stricter regulations and penalties against nations that misuse their power to silence and control their populations. It will set a precedent that encourages transparency and accountability, ensuring that people’s rights to information, communication, and livelihood remain protected.

Join us in calling for immediate action to safeguard our digital freedoms. Your signatures can influence global policy and help protect millions from the adverse effects of unjustified internet shutdowns. Sign this petition today to be a voice for those silenced and to affirm that in the digital age, connectivity is a right, not a privilege.

Sign the petition to make prolonged internet shutdowns a recognized human rights violation.