A resolution on the promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet, spearheaded by Nigeria, Tunisia, Brazil, Sweden, Tunisia, Turkey, and USA, has been adopted by the UN Human Rights Council.

The resolution slams countries that are disrupting internet access to citizens, and recommends the thorough investigation of attacks on bloggers and other internet users within UN member states.

Prior to its adoption, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, China, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and India called for amendment and opposed references to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and to freedom of expression sourced from the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).

The new resolution prohibits any form of intentional disruption to information flow – particularly during situations where access to information is deemed critical, such as during an election, or in the aftermath of a terrorist attack – two situations that affect several African countries.

Although not legally binding, the resolution puts pressure on governments. It also affirmed that the UN has decided to condemn internet shutdowns.

Thomas Hughes, Executive Director of Article 19, a charity that defends freedom of expression, said: "The resolution is a much-needed response to increased pressure on freedom of expression online in all parts of the world" adding that "From impunity for the killings of bloggers to laws criminalising legitimate dissent on social media, basic human rights principles are being disregarded to impose greater controls over the information we see and share online."

Hughes urged the United Nations to take more actions to address the global situation for freedom of expression online which he said demands more specific and detailed commitment from states to address other priority issues.

"In future Human Rights Council resolutions, states must tackle these more specific priority issues head on including abusive laws that target legitimate online dissent, government efforts to undermine anonymity and encryption, and attempts to exert undue pressure on private ICT actors to engage in censorship," he said.