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  string(4564) "Amid growing tensions between the national and regional governments in the Somali region of Ethiopia, the national government has resorted to shutting off broadband and mobile internet. The picturesque cities of Harar and Dire Dawa and the whole Somali region of Ethiopia have been without access to the internet for four days, while violence in Eastern Ethiopia has claimed the lives of many civilians.  

The Ethiopian government has a troubling history of implementing internet shutdowns. Until very recently, the whole country did not have mobile internet except in the capital, Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is also one of several countries known to have deployed internet shutdowns during school exams. 

Ethiopia’s new prime minister had reiterated his commitment to protect and expand freedom of expression online and offline during his inaugural speech. This commitment was followed by the unblocking over 260 websites that were previously unavailable inside the country. These moves ushered in a sense of hope in Ethiopia that the new administration would not regress to old habits. 

However, the government’s actions this past weekend show that Ethiopia still has a long way to go to protect freedom of expression and access to information in the country. The lack of transparency around the decision to cut off the internet and the deafening silence from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Ethio-Telecom continue to make shutdown incidents in Ethiopia a mystery.  The #KeepItOn community has sent a letter to MCIT calling on the minister’s office to restore the internet in Eastern Ethiopia. 
Ethiopia can’t afford to shut down the internet 
In addition to harming human rights, internet shutdowns also cost the country millions of birr. According to data from the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and NetBlocks, the current shutdowns in Eastern Ethiopia have already cost the country more than 3.5 million birr.
Your story could help stop the shutdowns  
If you’re in Ethiopia, your voice is especially important right now.  You can use this form to tell your shutdown story, to provide a narrative account with details on the direct impact it has had on your life. It is critically important to show the real effect of shutdowns on the people who suffer from them. "
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The Ethiopian government has a troubling history of implementing internet shutdowns. Until very recently, the whole country did not have mobile internet except in the capital, Addis Ababa. Ethiopia is also one of several countries known to have deployed internet shutdowns during school exams. 

Ethiopia’s new prime minister had reiterated his commitment to protect and expand freedom of expression online and offline during his inaugural speech. This commitment was followed by the unblocking over 260 websites that were previously unavailable inside the country. These moves ushered in a sense of hope in Ethiopia that the new administration would not regress to old habits. 

However, the government’s actions this past weekend show that Ethiopia still has a long way to go to protect freedom of expression and access to information in the country. The lack of transparency around the decision to cut off the internet and the deafening silence from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) and Ethio-Telecom continue to make shutdown incidents in Ethiopia a mystery.  The #KeepItOn community has sent a letter to MCIT calling on the minister’s office to restore the internet in Eastern Ethiopia. 
Ethiopia can’t afford to shut down the internet 
In addition to harming human rights, internet shutdowns also cost the country millions of birr. According to data from the Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA) and NetBlocks, the current shutdowns in Eastern Ethiopia have already cost the country more than 3.5 million birr.
Your story could help stop the shutdowns  
If you’re in Ethiopia, your voice is especially important right now.  You can use this form to tell your shutdown story, to provide a narrative account with details on the direct impact it has had on your life. It is critically important to show the real effect of shutdowns on the people who suffer from them. "
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Work
Freedom of Expression

Freedom of Expression

We fight for your right to speak freely, which is critical for demonstrating dissent, guaranteeing a free press, and defending human rights.

Tiles List

Blog

Old habits die hard: Ethiopia blocks internet in the eastern part of the country, again!

Despite a renewed commitment from the government to respect free expression online, Ethiopia has shut down the internet in the entire eastern part of the country amid growing tensions.…

7 August 2018

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

Google beta-tests selling out on its mission

Google walks back earlier stand against helping censorship in China…

5 August 2018

Press Releases

Freedom of Expression

Access Now files new legal intervention in Cameroon against shutdowns

Access Now is supporting plaintiffs in Cameroon, who are challenging the government’s decision to shut down the internet in Anglophone regions of the country. The blocks harmed the human rights of millions, and stand in violation of international law.…

2 August 2018

Blog

Freedom of Expression

Will Zimbabwe #KeepItOn during the upcoming election?

Zimbabwe is going into a make-or-break election on July 30, 2018. The question is: Will the government throttle the internet? …

29 July 2018

Job

Business and Human Rights

HR & Recruitment Manager – New York, 2018

Access Now is seeking a full-time HR & Recruitment Manager to support and implement on an ongoing slate of exciting HR projects as well as coordinate, and in some cases lead, upcoming hires and recruitment initiatives at Access Now.…

26 July 2018

Blog

Freedom of Expression

India cuts internet access for school exams, doubles down on rights-harming shutdowns

Shutdowns during exams are increasingly common in countries like Iraq and Algeria, despite the harm they cause to human rights and the economy. But it’s relatively new in India, and it must be stopped.…

23 July 2018

Blog

Freedom of Expression

An internet shutdown during Pakistan’s elections? Not on our watch

As Pakistan prepares to go to the polls on July 25, civil society is keeping watch and documenting any interference with free expression online. Will you join us?…

23 July 2018

Blog

Business and Human Rights

Celebrating the achievements of RightsCon Toronto

While planning for RightsCon Tunis 2019 is well underway, we want to celebrate with you the many achievements of RightsCon Toronto. Check out video highlights and the official outcomes report here.…

19 July 2018

Access Now in the News

Freedom of Expression

The Cybersecurity 202: Anti-censorship tool opens new rift between lawmakers and tech companies

Date: July 19, 2018 – Author: Derek Hawkins – Publication: The Washington Post

19 July 2018

Blog

Freedom of Expression

At the United Nations, UPR surfaces threats to our digital ecosystem

In the current review cycle, we provide evidence on the human rights situation in Chile, New Zealand, Uruguay, Vietnam, and Yemen.…

18 July 2018

Access Now in the News

Freedom of Expression

Egypt’s cybercrime bill creates walled garden, anybody who goes outside is severely punished

Date: July 18, 2018 – Publication: RFI

18 July 2018

Access Now in the News

Freedom of Expression

Freedom of speech: Rights groups against digital blackout in polls

Date: July 18, 2018 – Author: News Desk – Publication: The Express Tribune

18 July 2018