Islamabad: The ongoing digital restrictions in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) are exacerbating human rights concerns, as frequent internet blackouts hinder the residents’ access to information and stifle communication.

According to Kashmir Media Service, the repeated internet disruptions in IIOJK severely restrict the local population’s ability to share and receive vital information, engage in discourse, and express their aspirations and grievances. This denial of digital access is described in the report as a significant infringement on human dignity and democratic values, highlighting the critical nature of the right to information as underscored by the Vienna Declaration of 1993.

The digital siege in Kashmir has not only impeded the region’s social and economic development but has also stifled the democratic process by preventing the dissemination of information and suppressing free speech. The report, issued in relation to the International Day for Universal Access to Information, underscores the disconnect between global human rights commitments and the realities in Kashmir, where such ideals remain elusive.

The extensive internet blackouts, particularly following the controversial abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped the region of its autonomy, have plunged the region into digital darkness, severely affecting daily life and economic activities. This period marked the beginning of the longest communication blackout in the region’s history, disrupting all forms of communication and having profound repercussions on all facets of life in Kashmir.

The blackout affected various sectors significantly; the education system grappled with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic without reliable internet for online learning, healthcare services struggled to provide telemedicine, and businesses faced enormous operational challenges. The economic losses attributed to these shutdowns in 2022 alone amounted to an estimated $184.3 million.

The report further highlights the instrumental role of social media in enabling Kashmiris to document human rights abuses and mobilize support, although this avenue is increasingly under threat due to stringent controls and monitoring by authorities. The repression extends to the media as well, with numerous journalists facing arrests and charges under stringent laws, significantly stifling the journalistic landscape in the region.

This situation calls for urgent international attention to the severe implications of such digital repression, which not only violates the fundamental right to information but also impacts governance, civil liberties, and economic stability in Kashmir.