The Global Network Initiative (GNI) strongly condemns the recent violence in Nepal and urges the government to continue de-escalating the situation following its decision to lift the ban on social media services. While we welcome the restoration of access to over two dozen previously blocked platforms, we remain deeply concerned about the events that led to this crisis, including the initial banning of digital platforms and the deadly crackdown on protestors. Multiple media accounts report that at least 22 people were killed during protests sparked in part by the shutdown of social media platforms.
Social media services allow access to information and expression consistent with the right to freedom of opinion and expression. They also help citizens organize and engage in civic activities, including lawful protests, facilitating the rights to association and peaceful assembly. GNI has long advocated against overbroad disruptions to Internet and telecommunications services, and consistently raised concerns about such disruptions, especially in the context of protests and natural disasters considering the roles they can play in helping people ensure their safety and enabling emergency services. An outright ban on social media can also have severe impacts on daily life, disrupting personal communication, and paralyzing business.
GNI calls on all actors in Nepal to refrain from violence, and expresses deep concern regarding allegations of unnecessary and disproportionate use of force by the security forces. We call upon the government of Nepal to take meaningful steps toward de-escalation by ensuring unobstructed access to digital platforms, addressing underlying grievances, and maintaining open dialogue with civil society. We echo the call by the United Nations Human Rights Office for the government to undertake prompt and transparent investigation into the recent deaths. Finally, we urge the government to reconsider its measures for regulating social media in consultation with the public, civil society and other stakeholders who have repeatedly raised freedom of expression and privacy concerns about the current framework.
About GNI
GNI is the leading multistakeholder forum for accountability, shared learning, and collective advocacy on government and company policies and practices at the intersection of technology and human rights. Over the last several years, GNI has reviewed, commented on, and helped shape a range of “online safety” bills, data protection laws, and intermediary liability laws across several jurisdictions. Our human rights analysis and recommendations for policymakers can be found in the Content Regulation & Human Rights Policy Brief, which uses international human rights principles to analyze a wide range of legislative efforts and provides proactive guidance on how to address online safety and digital regulations in a rights-protective manner.