Ethiopia: One month on, authorities must immediately lift blockade on selected social media access in the country

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As a blockade by the Ethiopian authorities on selected social media platforms enter its second month, Amnesty International’s Deputy Regional Director for East and Southern Africa, Flavia Mwangovya said: 

“Ethiopian authorities have, for a month now, blocked people in the country from accessing selected social media platforms such as Facebook, Telegram, Tik Tok and YouTube. The authorities thus continue to violate people’s right to freedom of expression, which includes the freedom to seek, receive and impart information. 

“This blockade on selected social media platforms clearly violates citizens' rights to freedom of expression and access to information. It also flies in the face of Ethiopia's own constitution,  and national laws, as well as regional and international treaties to which Ethiopia is a party to. The restriction further stains the country's already dismal record on media freedom.

“Amnesty International urges the Ethiopian authorities to lift this blockade without delay and to end this culture of interfering with people's right to express themselves and to seek and receive information.” 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Amnesty International.