Internet
Maputo, 5 Nov (AIM) – Several Mozambican civil society organisations have taken out an injunction against the three mobile phone service providers, TMcel, Vodacom and Movitel, demanding that they immediately re-establish full access to the Internet.
The three organisations that have taken out the injunction are the Centre for Public Integrity (CIP), the Centre for Democracy and Human Rights (CDD), and the Civil Society Learning and Training Centre (CESC).
Restrictions on Internet access began on 24 October. Initially, it was only mobile Internet users who were affected, while those who used providers such as Cable TV carried on much as before.
But in the past few days, the restrictions have become more severe, with many users finding that they are unable to access such popular applications as Facebook and WhatsApp. Facebook was clearly targeted because it is used by fugitive opposition leader, Venancio Mondlane, for his nightly live broadcasts.
The civil society bodies point out that restricting access to the Internet limits the right to information that is enshrined in the Mozambican constitution.
“These restrictions are taking place at a critical moment, immediately after the elections, suggesting that there are political motivations, seeking to hinder the full exercise of the rights to expression, communication and demonstration”, they add.
In addition to the political impact, restrictions on Internet access also affect academic work, jobs in the most varied spheres of the economy, and even simple attempts to contact family members.
“In a period of high tension, the restrictions imposed have worsened insecurity, by limiting access to truthful and up-to-date information on national and international events”, the civil society organisations add.
They point out that the Mozambican Constitution and the law on telecommunications “impose on the operators the duty to guarantee their users continual and uninterrupted services”. Furthermore, the Civil Procedural Code allows injunctions in cases of emergency “to prevent irreparable damage that threatens fundamental rights”.
Under the injunction, the organisations ask the courts to ensure the immediate re-establishment of access to the Internet, and that the service providers refrain from any blocking that limits this essential right”.
They also urged Mozambique’s international partners “to observe this situation closely and to demand respect for democratic principles and freedom of expression”.
Neither the government nor the service providers have taken responsibility for the Internet shutdown. The providers have sent messages to their clients claiming that access has been “temporarily restricted for reasons beyond our control”.
(AIM)
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