United Nations Human Rights Council condemns Internet blocking

The United Nations Human Rights Council passed a resolution condemning countries that prevent or disrupt access to the Internet. The 47-member UN council has passed two resolutions since 2012 affirming people’s digital rights, but the section on Internet blackouts appears to be a first. The resolution passed by consensus “Condemns unequivocally measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to or dissemination of information online in violation of international human rights law and calls on all States to refrain from and cease such measure.” The digital rights group Access Now has counted at least 15 Internet shutdowns around the globe in 2015, and 20 in the first half of this year.