BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Access Now - ECPv6.16.3//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Access Now
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.accessnow.org
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Access Now
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:Africa/Accra
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:+0000
TZOFFSETTO:+0000
TZNAME:GMT
DTSTART:20230101T000000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=Africa/Accra:20241029T140000
DTEND;TZID=Africa/Accra:20241029T153000
DTSTAMP:20260621T224254
CREATED:20241023T034816Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241031T153704Z
UID:10000095-1730210400-1730215800@www.accessnow.org
SUMMARY:Prolonged shutdowns: An analysis of the silenced voices in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia
DESCRIPTION:Following the outbreak of conflict between the Amhara Fano and the Ethiopian military in the spring of 2023\, the Ethiopian government declared a state of emergency and implemented a telecommunication blackout in the Amhara region starting in August 2023. These shutdowns have raised significant concerns about their impact on human rights\, economic development\, access to information\, and civil society’s ability to function. The Amhara region\, already facing challenges related to conflict\, poverty\, and displacement\, has been further impacted by these restrictions on digital communication. The broader conflict in Northern Ethiopia\, initially concentrated in Tigray but later spreading to Amhara\, has exacerbated vulnerabilities and limited the capacity of local communities to respond to the crises. \n\n\n\nThis webinar seeks to explore the multifaceted consequences of internet shutdowns in the Amhara region\, providing a platform for experts\, activists\, and scholars to share insights\, experiences\, and strategies for mitigating these impacts. The discussion will focus on the human rights\, socio-economic\, and political implications of shutdowns\, as well as potential pathways for ensuring that digital rights are respected even in times of crisis. \n\n\n\nObjectives \n\n\n\n\nTo Highlight Access Now’s research outputs and Amhara Association of America’s (AAA) investigative reports on the situation on the ground.\n\n\n\nTo analyze the socio-economic impact of internet shutdowns in the Amhara region\, focusing on how these measures affect local businesses\, education\, and public services.\n\n\n\nTo discuss the human rights implications of internet shutdowns\, including the suppression of freedom of expression\, access to information\, and the ability to work.\n\n\n\nTo explore strategies for advocating against these shutdowns and appealing the government to restore full connectivity in the region.\n\n\n\n\nSpeakers \n\n\n\n\nHenok Abebe – Human Rights Researcher and Advocate\n\n\n\nHone Mandefro Belaye – Advocacy Director\, Amhara Association of America\n\n\n\nDr. Yohannes Enyew Ayalew – Academic and Digital Human Rights Researcher\n\n\n\nAgerie\, Program Coordinator for Africa \n\n\n\nKulsuma Nur\, Researcher\n\n\n\n\nModerator: Felicia Anthonio\, #KeepItOn Campaign Manager\, Access Now \n\n\n\nX handles: \n\n\n\n\nHone Mandefro @HoMan99\n\n\n\nYohannes Eneyew Ayalew @yeayalew\n\n\n\nAmhara Association of Amhara Association of America(AAA) የዐማራ ማህበር በአሜሪካ @AAA_Amhara\n\n\n\n\n\n\nWatch the discussion\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHosted by:
URL:https://www.accessnow.org/event/keepiton-amhara-ethiopia/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.accessnow.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/KeepItOn-2023-report-post-header.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR