YAOUNDE DECLARATION - Internet Sans Frontières

We, members of the COALITION FOR INTERNET ACCESS in Cameroon and participants in the international symposium on “Digital rights and elections in Cameroon: fighting dangerous speech online while preserving digital rights in Cameroon”:

• Emphasizing that access to information is necessary in a democratic society, and crucially important before and after elections;
• Noting that social networks, especially in the run-up to the next presidential election scheduled for October 7th, are key channels for public information in the digital age, and also prone to the proliferation of disinformation, and the rise of hate speech and violent speech;
• Noting that these negative and exploitative discourses are conveyed by various types of actors;
• Noting the importance of social networks as platforms for freedom of expression and public debates, as well as for economic, social, and cultural rights and enterprises;
• Concerned by previous cases of network disruptions and internet shutdowns in the country;

Ask the Cameroonian government to:

• Implement Resolution 20/8 of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the “promotion, protection, and enjoyment of human rights on the Internet”;
• Publicly commit to abide by Resolution 362 on the “right to freedom of information and expression on the Internet in Africa”;
• Respect the African Declaration on Internet Rights and Freedoms;
• Respect its commitments to protect and promote freedom of association, access to information and freedom of expression, as well as the human right to privacy, online and offline, especially during elections;
• Promote and facilitate unfettered access to the Internet to ensure development and fundamental freedoms;
• Promote respect for human rights by business enterprises, including Internet service and telecommunications providers, in Cameroon, and support efforts toward more transparent and accountable operations;
• Develop internet and online media policies through inclusive and open dialogue and transparent channels of engagement, and notify stakeholders widely before implementation.

Encourage national and international civil society and partners to:

• Collaborate with the different actors of the Cameroonian digital ecosystem in the fight against disinformation and speech inciting violence;
• Monitor networks for potential disruptions, including Internet shutdowns, before, during, and after the elections;
• Elaborate communication strategies and raise awareness about internet disruptions and shutdowns among all stakeholders;
• Seek and impart legal advice to know and analyze newly adopted laws, policies, and bills impacting digital rights and freedoms;
• Challenge internet connection cuts, privacy invasions, and related human rights infringement in the relevant jurisdictions;
• Call on mobile operations and internet service providers to respect the rights of their consumers.

                                                                    Yaoundé, September 13th, 2018

• Contacts

Mail: adisicameroun@gmail.com

Phone : (+237) 243 526 139

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