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What are the Approaches that States have employed to curtail or limit Digital Rights in Africa
Studies have shown that , this vary from state to state, but summarily, states have mostly limited freedom of expression online on certain grounds such as ; national security, public order, public health and public morals. But this must be very rational if states have to indulge into the limitations of these rights in ensuring their actions do not fall short of the expectations of international law .
I say so because under International Human Rights Law , each state has the obligation to respect, protect and fulfill these rights . However with the growth of access to the internet and other ICTs , there has also been an increase in states and other actors seeking to encroach on these rights , for instance through international network disruptions, the promulgation of cyber crimes and other repressive laws and expansive digital surveillance operations without proper oversight .
Once these happen, it therefore becomes necessary for affected parties to turn to the Courts to seek recourse where their rights have been violated .
A glaring example of such law that seriously limit digital rights is law No. 2014 /28 of 23rd December 2014 on the suppression of terrorism in Cameroon.
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