which it ranks as ”Partly Free,” to be among the countries with the steepest recent declines in internet freedom, putting it in company with Sudan and Kazakhstan.80 Even outside of the refugee camps, the Bangladeshi government has blocked access to independent journalism online and restricted mobile network availability, including ahead of elections in December 2018.81 Targeted Internet Shutdown in Cox’s Bazar Myanmar is not alone in employing targeted internet shutdowns against the Rohingya. Internet access in the camps in Bangladesh was blocked for nearly a year, and restored only very recently. In September 2019, the Bangladeshi government directed telecommunications operators to restrict internet coverage in the refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar, where Rohingyas have been housed.82 Further, the authorities prevented refugees from obtaining SIM cards, and confiscated over ten thousand that were already in circulation.83 Rohingya refugees and activists have stated that the internet shutdown was in response to a large protest they staged in August 2019, marking the second anniversary of the clearance operations.84 According to the Bangladesh Home Minister, “The ban was imposed for the safety and security of the residents of the camps and our host communities. Those restrictions were also intended to stop violence and yaba smuggling.” The internet shutdown remained in place even as COVID-19 reached the refugee camps and they were locked down,85 depriving Rohingya refugees of the ability to access and disseminate health advisories and up to date information on the coronavirus. The internet shutdown was lifted in late August 2020 after UN agencies, local, national and international NGOs had pressured the Bangladeshi government.86 80 Freedom House, ”Freedom on The Net 2019,” 4. 81 Freedom House, ”Freedom on The Net 2019,” 9. 82 ”Remove restrictions on communication in Rohingya refugee camps amid COVID-19 outbreak,” International Federation for Human Rights, April 2, 2020, https://www.fidh.org/en/region/asia/bangladesh/remove-restrictions-on-communication-in-rohingyarefugee-camps-amid. 83 International Federation for Human Rights, “Remove restrictions.” 84 Poppy McPherson and Ruma Paul, “Tens of thousands of Rohingya mark ’Genocide Day’ amid tensions in Bangladesh camps,” Reuters, August 25, 2019, https://www.reuters.com/article/us-myanmarrohingya/tens-of-thousands-of-rohingya-mark-genocide-day-amid-tensions-in-bangladesh-campsidUSKCN1VF0G5?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews&rpc=69. 85 “Coronavirus: Bangladesh locks down a million in Rohingya camps,” BBC, April 9, 2020, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-52227924. 86 Munir Uz zaman, “Bangladesh to lift.” 20