Internet Access in Wartime: A Human Right or an Enabler of Human Rights?
Revista Tribuna Internacional
Internet Access in Wartime: A Human Right or an Enabler of Human Rights?
Authors
Jamshid Zargari
Visiting Lecturer in University of Applied Science and Technology, Tehran, Iran; Attorney at Law in Iran Central Bar Association, Tehran, Iran.
Internet shutdowns during wars have emerged as a critical human rights issue, particularly in recent conflicts like the Russia-Ukraine and Iran-Israel wars. Despite prior research on human rights, few studies have examined the humanitarian consequences of such disruptions in wartime. This study contributes by analyzing how internet blackouts affect civilian survival and rights under international law. The research aims to evaluate the impact of deliberate internet disruptions on civilians and advocate for recognizing internet access as a fundamental right during wars. Using a qualitative case study approach, it examines legal frameworks, NGO reports, and media coverage to assess the effects of shutdowns in the Russia-Ukraine war and Iran-Israel wars. Findings reveal that internet shutdowns severely disrupt emergency alerts, medical assistance, and humanitarian coordination, disproportionately harming civilians and violating international humanitarian law principles. While some scholars debate whether internet access constitutes a human right, this paper argues for its explicit inclusion in legal instruments to enhance state accountability. Protecting digital connectivity during wars is essential for preserving human dignity and ensuring civilian survival. By recognizing internet access as a fundamental right, states would face stricter scrutiny for imposing restrictions, reducing civilian harm and upholding humanitarian principles in modern warfare.
Zargari, J. (2026). Internet Access in Wartime: A Human Right or an Enabler of Human Rights?. Revista Tribuna Internacional, 14(26), 57–79. https://doi.org/10.5354/0719-482X.2025.80959
