Pakistan issues demarche to India over blocking Twitter accounts

Pakistan has issued a strong demarche to the Indian government for blocking access to content of 80 accounts on Twitter, including those of diplomatic missions in Iran, Turkey, Egypt, UN-New York and national broadcaster Radio Pakistan by activating geo-blocking and censorship laws.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs summoned the Indian charge d’affaires in Islamabad and conveyed that these Indian actions were against the international standards, obligations, norms, and framework of flow of information and reflected the alarming pace of shrinking space for pluralistic voices and curbing of fundamental freedoms in India.

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It was noted that the new illegal practice employed by the Indian government of regulating the internet sphere with regard to diplomatic accounts, with a clear intent to stifle dissent stood completely against the rights to access to information and fundamental freedom of opinion or expression.

The government of India has been urged to immediately reverse its actions relating to the blocking of Pakistan’s diplomatic missions’ Twitter accounts in India. India must also abide by the established international norms and standards as espoused by the UN and also ensure protection of fundamental freedoms and respect for dissent.