In response to a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government order to block the sharing of images on social media websites, Amnesty Internationals DRC researcher Jean-Mobert Senga said: <\/p>\n
The order for internet companies to take technical measures to limit social media use is an appalling attack on everyones right to share and receive information. <\/p>\n
Most worryingly, it comes amid a worsening political crisis where the risk of human rights violations and abuses and therefore the importance of social media as a documentation tool - is high. <\/p>\n
This move is the latest in a series of attacks on freedom of expression in the DRC, including the closure of several media outlets and the harassment of Congolese and international journalists. <\/p>\n
This unacceptable measure must be repealed immediately and people must be allowed full access to the internet and social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Whatsapp. <\/p>\n
Background <\/p>\n
On 7 August, the president of the DRC telecommunications authority sent a letter to telecoms companies that provide internet services in the country. <\/p>\n
It read: To prevent abusive sharing of images through social media between clients of your network, I ask you to take the necessary technical measures to restrict the capacity to transfer images to the bare minimum. <\/p>\n
The order came ahead of a two-day nationwide general strike called by the main opposition party, which is demanding the publication of the electoral calendar. <\/p>\n
The government order followed a day of violence in several neighborhoods in the capital Kinshasa, as well as in the central cities of Matadi and Boma, images of which were shared widely on social media. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
More: <\/p>\n
DRC: Block on social media images an appalling attack on freedom of expression - Amnesty International<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In response to a Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) government order to block the sharing of images on social media websites, Amnesty Internationals DRC researcher Jean-Mobert Senga said: The order for internet companies to take technical measures to limit social media use is an appalling attack on everyones right to share and receive information. Continue reading