The UN has passed a resolution for the "promotion, protection and enjoyment of human rights on the internet".
The resolution states the importance of "applying a comprehensive human rights-based approach when providing and expanding access to the internet and for the internet to be open, accessible and nurtured".
It follows the freedom of expression resolutions found in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Countries including Russia, China and South Africa rejected the motion, saying they objected to a clause in the resolution that "condemns unequivocally measures to intentionally prevent or disrupt access to our dissemination of information online".
"The resolution is a much-needed response to increased pressure on freedom of expression online in all parts of the world," said Thomas Hughes, Executive Director of civil liberties group Article 19. "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".
Iraq recently came under fire for turning off the internet to prevent students from cheating on their exams. It also shutdown the internet 15 times in 2015 for similar "exam-based reasons", and had previously shut down social media to stop the spread of Islamic State propaganda.
Hughes added the resolution – which is not legally binding – could go further.
"While the resolution articulates strong human rights standards, the global situation for freedom of expression online demands more specific and detailed commitment from states to address other priority issues," he said.
"In future HRC resolutions, states must tackle these 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."
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
