SHRINKING DEMOCRACY, GROWING VIOLENCE 52 Civil society continues to find success challenging the legality of shutdowns imposed by governments across the globe. Legal Advocacy In 2023, Media Defence, together with local organizations, won a case against the government of Guinea at the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Community Court of Justice for imposing internet shutdowns in the country during protests in 2020 and 2021.303 This is the third time the ECOWAS Court has ruled against states imposing internet shutdowns and declared the disruptions unlawful, following successful challenges to shutdowns in Togo in 2020 and Nigeria in 2022.304 There are also pending cases against the government of Senegal at the ECOWAS Court, following Senegal’s decision to shut down mobile internet access on several occasions in 2023 to quell protests.305 Cases filed by the Coalition against Internet Shutdowns in Kazakhstan are pending against three telcos in the district courts of Almaty, challenging the January 2022 shutdowns in the country.306 In addition, courts in India and Pakistan have denounced the use of shutdowns and, in some instances, demanded an end to ongoing disruptions.307 Although these legal challenges and rulings have not brought an end to the use of shutdowns, they reinforce the norm that shutdowns violate international law, and serve as important legal precedents for Access Now, the #KeepItOn coalition, and our partners to continue pushing back against shutdowns in courts. Coalition Resources and Capacity Building 303 Since its launch in 2022, the Advocacy Assembly Shutdown Academy has supported the global fight against shutdowns by empowering people with the skills, tools, and resources to join the battle.308 The academy launched 10 courses on shutdowns and created a mentorship program to train people and communities impacted by or interested in learning about internet shutdowns.309 They made courses available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, Persian, Portuguese, and Swahili. Supra note 89. 304 Access Now (2022). ECOWAS Court upholds digital rights, rules 2017 internet shutdowns in Togo illegal. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/internet-shutdowns-in-togo-illegal/; Access Now (2022). ECOWAS Court victory: Twitter ban in Nigeria declared unlawful. https://www.accessnow.org/press-release/ecowas-court-nigeria-unlawful-twitter-ban/ 305 Media Defence (2023). Media Defence and SLS’s Rule of Law Impact Lab File Case Before ECOWAS Court Challenging Senegal Internet shutdowns. https://www.mediadefence.org/news/senegals-internet-shutdowns/ 306 Access Now (2022). Timeline: Kazakhstan internet shutdowns aim to crush protests, hide state violence. https://www. accessnow.org/kazakhstan-internet-shutdowns-protests-almaty-timeline-whats-happening/; Eurasian Digital Foundation (2023). Coalition against Internet shutdowns in Kazakhstan filed claims. https://shutdown.kz/works/claims-against-telecom/ 307 The Times of India (2024). Manipur Internet Ban News: Manipur high court steps in to partially restore internet connectivity. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/imphal/manipur-high-court-steps-in-to-partially-restore-internet-connectivity/ articleshow/105031873.cms; see also Live Law (2023). Manipur High Court Orders State To Lift Internet Ban On Leased Line Connections; Fiber Internet To Be Restored On Case-To-Case Basis. https://www.livelaw.in/high-court/manipur-high-court/ manipur-high-court-internet-ban-lift-restrictions-safeguards-ftth-connections-232273; SAMAA TV (2024). SHC again orders immediate restoration of internet services, social media. https://www.samaa.tv/2087310116-shc-again-orders-immediaterestoration-of-internet-services-social-media 308 Advocacy Assembly (2023). Advocacy Assembly's Shutdown Academy 2023 in Review. https://advocacyassembly.org/en/news/247 309 Advocacy Assembly (2023). Ten Courses to Demystify and Combat Internet Shutdowns. https://advocacyassembly.org/en/news/243