UN Special Rapporteur urges Ethiopia to stop Internet shutdowns

UN Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression David Kaye has urged authorities in Ethiopia to halt the frequent Internet shutdowns.

Kaye noted that ‘Internet shutdowns are almost always a violation of the rights to freedom of expression’.  Ethiopia has recorded about 19 Internet shutdowns in 2019 alone; the most recent which was witnessed by Kaye during his visit. The government it as a measure to counter a cyber-attack on the nation’s critical IT infrastructure.