This position paper is informed by monitoring conducted by the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms (AfDec) Coalition of developments relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Various measures adopted by states and other relevant stakeholders have had a direct impact on the enjoyment of rights online. This position paper consolidates the Coalition members’ assessment of, and positions on, the protection, promotion and exercise of human rights online as African states respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The paper focuses on five key areas found in the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms, namely:
- Internet access and affordability
- Regulation of content online
- Privacy, surveillance and data protection
- The right to information.