Thread by @LetIndBreathe

Let India Breathe Statement on #InternetCensorship

Today, we are reaching out to our community and large, diverse base of volunteers to inform them about an unprecedented act of internet censorship. (1/11)
#InternetFreedom #DigitalLockdown

Most our members hold the firm belief that environmental protection is the seminal issue of our time. We live in times of large scale ecological disasters and looming climate crisis which threaten human life, particularly young peoples' lives and future generations. (2/11)

This requires a greater level of urgency in government responses and larger public engagement. It is with these ideals and intent we launched LetIndiaBreathe.in, a volunteer led movement. Since it’s launch it engaged with spirit and informed close to 10 lakh people.
(3/11)

It served as a public resource for information and engagement to serve the constitutional goals for protection of wildlife and ecology. Towards this it facilitated feedback processes to the draft changes on EIA as invited by the Government of India. (4/11) #InternetFreedom

However, on 29th June, we noticed that the domain was rendered inaccessible.
#InternetFreedom #DigitalLockdown (5/11)

After technical determination and extensive correspondence with our domain registrar we reasonably determined this was due to a hold on domain of LetIndiaBreathe.in placed by the National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI). (6/11) #InternetFreedom

Today, the domain LetIndiaBreathe.in remains inaccessible for reasons not disclosed to us. We have not been informed why this was done, nor have we been given a chance to present our defence. (7/11)#InternetFreedom

This is very worrying and impacts the hopes and aspirations of many young environmentalists who conduct digital activism to grow awareness as a part of their fundamental rights. (8/11) #InternetFreedom

While we remain hopeful that this error is soon corrected, we wish to also acknowledge that LetIndiaBreathe.in is not alone. #InternetFreedom (9/11)

We have received disturbing reports from our allies and fellow campaigners that many other digital environmental websites have been blocked or made inaccessible. #InternetFreedom (10/11)

At this time we offer them solidarity and urge the Government to take immediate steps towards restoration. Our focus remains on advocacy on EIA, which if passed in the draft format, is going to be catastrophic for Indians. (11/11) #InternetFreedom