Afghanistan Internet Shutdown Sparks Communications Crisis and Human Rights Concerns
DID Press: A nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout in Afghanistan has raised serious concerns over access to vital information, essential services, and public safety. The shutdown has deeply disrupted everyday life and affected critical sectors including humanitarian response, education, media, and the economy.
The move, ordered by the Taliban administration on Monday evening, even rendered the websites of some government ministries inaccessible — a sign of the group’s increasing focus on information control and centralized communication management.
Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the United Nations, emphasized the humanitarian risks of such restrictions, stating: “Internet and telecommunications are vital during natural disasters. Aid workers rely on them for rapid access to alerts and critical information.” He warned that cutting internet services not only restricts information access but can also put lives at risk.
The blackout has had far-reaching implications. Online education for students has been interrupted, media operations have been disrupted, and the functionality of government services has been significantly hampered. Emergency response efforts in earthquake-affected areas have also suffered due to the lack of connectivity, limiting access to medical support, public alerts, and other life-saving resources.
Experts warn that the shutdown is especially harmful to vulnerable groups, including women, children, and ethnic and religious minorities. It limits their ability to advocate for their rights, document abuses, or pursue education and personal development. Women and girls already excluded from formal schooling are now cut off from online learning as well.
From a human rights perspective, internet access is increasingly recognized as a fundamental right in the digital age. According to Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the right to access information and freedom of expression must be protected. The Taliban’s internet shutdown stands in direct violation of these principles and contradicts the goals of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda, particularly those related to education, economic opportunity, and social inclusion.
Beyond its domestic impact, Afghanistan’s growing digital isolation also threatens regional and global stability, as it restricts the free flow of information and obscures potential human rights violations from international scrutiny.
Human rights organizations and global actors have condemned the blackout, calling on the Taliban to immediately restore connectivity and recognize internet access as a basic human right. They argue that access to digital tools is essential not only for individual freedoms but also for national development, education, and democratic participation.
The continued restrictions, however, signal a clear effort by the Taliban to consolidate control rather than foster openness. In a country already facing economic collapse and social unrest, limiting internet access may deepen crises and widen the gap between the Afghan people and the rest of the world.
As Afghanistan grapples with the consequences of the shutdown, observers stress the urgent need for sustainable, rights-respecting solutions to manage communications infrastructure — rather than denying citizens access to one of the most essential tools of modern life.