Access Now 348d ago

Internet shutdowns are playing a direct role in the preventable, human-caused famine in Sudan, where faltering peace negotiations and humanitarian efforts struggle to bring some relief to populations living in areas disputed by warring parties. With this event, we aim to supplement those crucial negotiations by exploring telecommunications and the role of digital connectivity in advancing peace and humanitarian access. This discussion alongside UNGA 79 is led by experts from leading platforms, research, and advocacy organizations at the forefront of digital human rights, access to knowledge, and humanitarian response online in Sudan and beyond, including those looking at the role of low-earth orbit satellites (LEO) internet providers like Starlink. GISA group will present findings from their briefing Digital Lifelines: How Internet Connectivity Enables Vital Aid in Sudan. The report is the result of the Sudan Crisis Response project, launched to enhance communication resilience for local humanitarian actors, journalists, and human rights defenders, and also tested a variety of connectivity solutions, including LEOs. Access Now will present the #KeepItOn coalition’s most recent report, Shrinking democracy, growing violence: internet shutdowns in 2023, using data on shutdowns in Sudan collected by the coalition, together with case studies and testimonies shared by people in Sudan to demonstrate the humanitarian impact of shutdowns. Inviting participants to join the discussion live, the panel of experts will focus on the effects of shutdowns on vulnerable communities in conflict areas, how civil society, communities, and people are fighting back, and what the international community must do to change this situation, covering: GISA findings from the Sudan Crisis Response project - #KeepItOn report highlights and campaign actions against internet shutdowns in Sudan - Framing the humanitarian impact of shutdowns, and challenges to accountability within the existing legal and regulatory frameworks - Digital security tips and tools - Furthermore, the experts will propose a set of concrete and actionable recommendations for stakeholders to address the ongoing situation. ----- Speakers: Mosaab Baba, Editor, Ayin Shayna Lewis, Senior Advisor and Sudan Specialist, PAEMA Moneim Adam, Program Director, Sudan Human Rights Hub (SHRH) Kholood Khair, Founding Director, Confluence Advisory Remote participants: Khattab Hamad, Digital rights activist Rawh Nasir, Researcher Jawhara Kanu, Political economy analyst Moderator: Aymen Zaghdoudi, MENA Senior Policy Counsel, Access Now Interventions from the floor: Tom Rhodes, Managing Editor, Ayin Kassem Mnejja, MENA Campaigner, Access Now Peter Micek, General Counsel and UN Policy Manager, Access Now Trevor Snapp, Executive Director, Gisa Group