Session
The main session will explore existing guidelines, norms, principles, or agreements that safeguard Internet access and stability during times of crisis and conflict. It will assess the need for new or updated normative or legal frameworks and policies on national, regional and international levels to further strengthen the protection of the Internet's core resources.
The session will also clarify the roles and responsibilities of the various stakeholders, including governments, the private sector, the technical community, and civil society, in implementing these guidelines and monitoring compliance.
Finally, panelists will exchange best practices for alternative tech solutions that can assist in ensuring access to internet infrastructure in contexts where conventional telecommunications and internet infrastructure has been damaged or destroyed.The focus will be on civilian populations and their internet access, rather than on access for conflict actors or the use of cyber in conflict.
Report
The main session from the 2024 Internet Governance Forum (IGF) focused on the theme, "The Internet's Contribution to Peace and Sustainability." The session, moderated by Anriette Esterhuysen, explored the critical issue of protecting internet infrastructure during crises and ensuring uninterrupted access for communities, especially in the face of conflict, natural disasters, and climate-related challenges.
Esterhuysen opened the session by highlighting the session's importance in addressing the destruction or unavailability of internet infrastructure and its profound impacts on ordinary people, communities, and humanitarian operations. She stressed the need for examining existing norms and frameworks, as well as exploring actionable alternatives to secure a resilient and open internet.
The panel brought together a diverse group of experts from the private sector, governments, NGOs, and academia, alongside representatives from organizations like Human Rights Watch and Meta. Together, they discussed the growing trend of intentional internet shutdowns, the deliberate destruction of telecommunication infrastructure, and the severe humanitarian consequences of these actions. Specific examples were shared, such as the ongoing devastation in Gaza, where airstrikes have extensively damaged telecommunications systems, leaving civilians disconnected and unable to access essential services. The session also examined the prolonged internet shutdowns in Kashmir, which were criticized for violating international human rights norms under the pretext of security concerns. Additionally, Mohamed Shareef from the Maldives shed light on the vulnerability of small island nations, where climate change threatens the submarine cables that are vital for connectivity.
The discussion delved into the existing normative frameworks, including international law and human rights norms, which call for internet-based restrictions and shutdowns to be both necessary and proportionate to specific security concerns. Panelists acknowledged the adequacy of these norms but pointed to a significant lack of enforcement mechanisms, which undermines their effectiveness. The conversation also highlighted the critical role of multistakeholder efforts, such as the Freedom Online Coalition, in promoting responsible state behavior and strengthening protections for critical internet infrastructure.
Panelists proposed several solutions to address the challenges discussed. These included capacity-building initiatives, international collaboration, and integrating internet resilience into climate and humanitarian aid programs. The private sector’s contributions were emphasized, particularly innovations such as proxy services for platforms like WhatsApp, which enable users to circumvent government-ordered shutdowns. Meanwhile, the ITU’s resolution to support Palestine in rebuilding telecommunications infrastructure was cited as a significant step in addressing these issues.
Despite these efforts, the session underscored significant challenges, such as the double standards in international responses to crises in different regions, and the role of content moderation in ensuring equitable access to online platforms without enabling misuse. The audience raised questions about enforcement gaps, the responsibilities of humanitarian agencies in providing connectivity, and the need for a more structured and coherent approach to securing internet access in times of crisis.
Ultimately, the session concluded with a call for greater alignment between existing norms, multistakeholder collaboration, and proactive responses. It highlighted the need for cohesive strategies that draw on the resources and expertise of governments, the private sector, and civil society to ensure the internet remains a lifeline during crises and contributes to peace and sustainability worldwide. Moreover panelists called for building mechanisms to ensure legal investigation of telecommunication infrastructure destruction.