Statement of Roshan Afghanistan Online University Regarding Recent Internet Access Restrictions in Afghanistan – RAO University
Roshan Afghanistan Online University, as an independent, non-profit, volunteer-based, and community-oriented academic institution committed to advancing knowledge and expanding high-quality, free higher education, firmly believes that stable and secure access to the internet is not a privilege, but a fundamental necessity for the continuity of scientific, educational, and research life in Afghan society.
Based on universally recognized human rights principles and international standards, free, stable, and secure access to the internet is a clear manifestation of fundamental human rights, including freedom of expression, the right to access information, the right to education, and the ability to benefit from scientific and technological progress. Depriving citizens—particularly students, faculty, and researchers—of such access constitutes a clear violation of the right to education and undermines educational equity and equal opportunities both nationally and internationally.
The imposition of internet restrictions and the blockage of communication platforms has direct and irreparable consequences on online learning, scientific research, and the transfer of contemporary knowledge, posing a serious threat to the scientific, cultural, and social development of the country. Such measures, in addition to increasing educational deprivation, risk promoting illiteracy, limiting awareness, and obstructing sustainable development.
Roshan Afghanistan Online University, as a neutral, academic, and non-political institution, relying on the voluntary collaboration of national and international faculty and leveraging modern technologies, is dedicated to cultivating a specialized, committed, and nationally responsive human capital. The continuation of communication restrictions severely compromises this academic and social mission and places the cycle of education and research at risk of interruption.
The leadership board of Roshan Afghanistan Online University, while upholding national and academic values, reiterates that sustainable development is unattainable without free access to modern communication and educational platforms, and calls upon relevant authorities and responsible institutions to take appropriate measures to lift these restrictions and ensure the fundamental right to internet access for citizens, particularly students and faculty.
Despite all challenges, the University remains steadfast in its academic and social mission, continuing to provide free, unbiased, and knowledge-driven education, supported by its scholarly community and volunteer collaborators, nurturing the advancement of knowledge, strengthening social responsibility, and educating Afghanistan’s next generation within prevailing conditions.