ECOWAS Court fines Togo for Internet shutdowns
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court of Justice has fined Togo US$3400 after ruling that Togo’s Internet shutdowns were illegal and an affront to its citizens’ right to freedom of expression. This follows a petition filed by Amnesty International citing government ordered Internet shutdowns on several dates in 2017. The petition was supported by civil society organisations working in Africa, some of which filed briefs as friends of the court.
The ruling sets an important precedent for the region where there has been a rise in government ordered Internet shutdowns.
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