CLOSE

Media Defence and Veritas Law Bring Case Before the Constitutional Council of Cameroon Challenging Internet Shutdown

Media Defence and Veritas Law Bring Case Before the Constitutional Council of Cameroon Challenging Internet Shutdown

On 8 May, the Constitutional Council of Cameroon will begin hearing a case that challenges the government’s decision to shut the Internet down in the South West and North West of the country. The Internet was shut down on 18 January following protests against the arrest of civil society leaders resisting government efforts to impose the Francophone legal and education systems in these predominantly Anglophone regions.

The case that has been brought highlights that open and accessible internet communications are essential to ensuring the right to freedom of expression. Disruption of online services, whether through website blocking or internet shutdowns, amounts to a serious violation of that fundamental right. The government of Cameroon is obliged under domestic and international legal obligations to protect freedom of expression, including ensuring that it remains accessible and that people are able to use it freely and without interference.

On 20 April, hours after the constitutional challenge was filed by Veritas Law, with the assistance of Media Defence, at the Constitutional Council, the Internet was turned back on following an order by the President of Cameroon. The blackout lasted 93 days. Throughout the shutdown, the lives of the people living in the region were severely affected. In economic terms, the shutdown has been estimated by human rights organisations to have cost Cameroon around $1.4 million. The cost in social, cultural, health and educational terms has also been high. Even though the Internet has now been restored there is no guarantee the government will not shut it down again. The constitutional challenge was brought to compel the government to restore the Internet, and so that the Constitutional Council could prevent the government from shutting the internet down in the future.

Recent News

Join us at RightsCon 2025

We are excited to be part of RightsCon 2025, taking place 24-27 February in Taipei and online. This year, we are hosting and participating in several sessions that explore surveillance, digital rights, and freedom of expression, alongside experts from across the globe. Our Sessions at RightsCon Taking Spyware to Court: Challenges and Opportunities of Spyware […]

Read

The Impact of Our Litigation Surgeries: A Conversation with Lawyer, Jorge Ruiz Del Ángel

Last year, we interviewed Mexican human rights lawyer Jorge Ruiz del Ángel about his experience attending one of our Litigation Surgeries and becoming part of our global network of lawyers. Our Litigation Surgeries Our litigation surgeries are a core component of Media Defence’s global work, offered both in-person and online. These are focused seminars where […]

Read

Filing Amicus Curiae and other submissions at Domestic Courts: Strengthening Freedom of Expression at the National Level

In 2024, Media Defence filed written submissions in a number of cases before domestic courts across four regions. The role of Media Defence took different forms, including that of third-party intervener, amicus curiae, and expert providing an opinion in international law. The purpose of the submissions is to assist each court in its determination of […]

Read