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At the 81st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR), currently taking place in Banjul, The Gambia, the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) will participate in a series of sessions aimed at enhancing the digital rights ecosystem in Africa. CIPESA’s participation will entail contributions on countering internet shutdowns and devising measures aimed at safeguarding civic spaces in African countries.
Insights from recent reports, such as the 2024 State of Internet Freedom in Africa report and a baseline study of the State of Access to Digital Tools, Usage of ICT and Digital Threats to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Uganda, will be shared at the convening.
Among the sessions CIPESA will participate in is one taking place on October 19, 2024, hosted by DefendDefenders, AfricanDefenders and the National Coalition of Human Rights Defenders Uganda (NCHRD-U) on “Safeguarding Uganda’s Civic Space”. The session will discuss strategies to counter the shrinking civic space in addition to providing a platform for various stakeholders to share their experiences, develop strategies to safeguard civic space, human rights, environmental justice, and the rights of marginalised groups.
As internet shutdowns and social media blocks increasingly become tools for suppressing dissent and undermining democracy, particularly during elections and protests, the urgency of addressing these measures grows. Numerous African governments invoke broad national security reasons to justify these actions, a trend documented across various countries. With 21 African nations and over 70 countries worldwide holding elections in 2024, the need for legal remedies to such disruptions is more critical than ever.
On October 22, 2024, CIPESA, in partnership with the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL) and the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), will host a side event session on “Internet Shutdowns and Elections in Africa.” Experts will explore how courts in different jurisdictions have tackled shutdowns, share litigation strategies, and discuss actions to safeguard digital rights at the national, regional, and continental levels.
Session details:
* Date: October 22, 2024
* Venue: Thematic Room 2
* Online meeting link
* Time: 13.00-14.30 GMT
* Speakers
Honourable Commissioner, Ourveena Geereesha Topsy-Sonoo, Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Expression and Access to Information in Africa (TBC).
Thobekile Matimbe, Senior Manager Partnerships and Engagements, Paradigm Initiative
Roselyn Hanzi, Executive Director, Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR)
Martin Mavenjina, Senior Program Advisor, Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC)
Florence Nakazibwe, Senior Legal Advisor-Africa, International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL)
Grace Wangechi, Executive Director, Independent Medical Legal Unit.
Session Moderator: Patricia Ainembabazi, Project Officer, CIPESA