A/HRC/42/CRP.5 news. Furthermore, we have seen more human rights abuses in the areas affected after the mobile data usage has been banned since 21 June 2019.1061 (b) Impact of the shutdown on delivery of humanitarian assistance 459. The Mission has been told that the shutdown is also having an impact on humanitarian assistance across the region. Humanitarian workers have said that they are unable to receive information and carry out monitoring as effectively, with reduced access to information about new sites of displacement, the needs of IDPs and other factors that they need to know to deliver humanitarian relief effectively and efficiently. 1062 They have said that telephone services have not provided an adequate alternative means of communication. 460. Some humanitarian actors have been affected more than others. The ICRC has publically stated that the shutdown has not affected its work.1063 However, UNICEF reported that the internet shutdown “threatens to further limit access and reporting capabilities in coming months and is impacting an estimated one million people.”1064 461. The Mission’s investigation also found that smaller relief organizations have been more severely affected by the shutdown. Due to pre-existing access restrictions for many humanitarian actors,1065 smaller community based actors have been playing a pivotal role filling the void in the humanitarian space.1066 They have done this through ad hoc collections of donations from community members and locally coordinated distribution to those in need. This work has been particularly important for a large number of IDPs who are not located in formal sites for displaced persons and who often rely solely on community based donations. For example, one man who runs a locally-based charity organization in Chin State explained to the Mission that his group usually receives video clips or photographs of people who are ill or injured and is thus able to assess the emergency needs and respond by bringing in appropriate supplies. Without the internet, the organization is unable to carry out this type of work as efficiently as before.1067 462. Lack of internet has also affected local assistance, often provided by family members to affected individuals and communities, including through sending money to relatives, as well as the receipt of remittances from relatives abroad, all of which are largely sent by web-based apps.1068 463. Telenor Myanmar, one of the nation’s largest cellular providers and subject to the internet shutdown, noted in a statement issued directly after the shutdown was announced, that “freedom of expression through access to telecoms services should be maintained for humanitarian purposes, especially during times of conflict”.1069 3. Conclusions and legal findings 464. The internet is a powerful technological medium to users of which international human rights law affords protections under the right to freedom of opinion and expression. The right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and 1061 1062 1063 1064 1065 1066 1067 1068 1069 LI-221. UNICEF, “UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report No.6” (July 2019); Amnesty International “Myanmar: End Internet Shutdown In Rakhine, Chin States” (Public Statement, 25 June 2019); Fortify Rights “Myanmar: Lift Internet-Blackout in Rakhine and Chin States” (News Release, 22 July 2019). Naw Betty Han, “Rakhine in the dark: life after the internet blackout” (Frontier Myanmar, 16 July 2019); UNICEF, UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation Report No.6 (July 2019). UNICEF Myanmar Humanitarian Situation report #6, January-June 2019. See section above on Humanitarian impacts of the conflict. CI-316, LI-140, LI-171, LI-225. LI-225. Radio Free Asia, “Rakhine Internet Shutdown Makes Relief Efforts More Difficult, Refugees and Aid Workers Say” (1 July 2019). Telenor Group, “Internet Services Restored in Five Townships in Myanmar, 01 September 2019”, (Media Statement, 1 September 2019). 129