The recognition of the right to Internet access as an independent human right: Potentials and obstacles

Abstract

The existence of the Internet had made a truly revolution in people's lives. The Internet has proven to be an important tool for facilitating everyday activities. It had also proven to be a mechanism that enables the more efficient enjoyment of numerous human rights. The Covid-19 pandemic indicated the necessity of the Internet and raised the question of the possible recognition of the right to Internet access as an independent human right. The authors examine the nature of Internet and its close relationship with other human rights, particularly the right to freedom of thought and expression and the right to freedom of association. The authors identified the lack of political will of the states, the insufficiently clear nature of the right to Internet access and its perception as an auxiliary means by which other human rights can be realized as the main obstacles regarding the recognition of Internet access as an independent human right. The paper concludes that the issue of the right to Internet access as a human right should not be dismissed by the international community, bearing in mind its potential during the pandemic and other emergency situations.

Keywords

• internet
• human rights
• covid-19 pandemic
• right to freedom of expression
• right to freedom of association