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Amnesty International, along with thirty-one civil society organizations, has demanded the immediate restoration of the social media platform ‘X’ from the government of Pakistan.
In a statement shared on X, a prominent human rights group announced its collaboration with 28 civil society organizations to advocate for the reinstatement of X, emphasizing the imperative for Pakistani authorities to honor freedom of expression and access to information in line with international human rights obligations, as reported by Dawn.com.
The joint statement, endorsed by Amnesty International and various civil society bodies, underscored deep apprehensions over the escalating trend of internet shutdowns and social media platform blockades, notably before and after Pakistan’s general elections.
The statement highlighted the detrimental impact of such actions on fundamental rights, including freedom of expression and information access, while lamenting the stifling of genuine political discourse and plurality of voices.
The ongoing blockade of X, previously known as Twitter, since February 17, exemplifies the concerning rise of digital censorship in Pakistan, the statement noted, emphasizing that such measures not only silence diverse political voices but also foster an environment conducive to misinformation proliferation.
Recognizing the pivotal role of digital platforms in shaping public discourse, the statement stressed the importance of preserving the free flow of information for an informed society and fair electoral processes. It cautioned that arbitrary platform blocking, devoid of transparency and legal due process, undermines Pakistan’s international legal commitments.
The statement expressed deep concern over the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority’s (PTA) silence regarding the blockade of X, condemning the lack of transparency and accountability in decision-making processes. Additionally, reports of VPN throttling, infringing on information access and privacy rights, were condemned.
In light of these concerns, the statement called for immediate measures to reverse the trajectory of digital censorship in Pakistan, emphasizing the need for transparency, accountability, and respect for fundamental rights.
