Amnesty International has condemned Iranian authorities for implementing a nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout, characterizing it as a tactic to suppress widespread protests and obscure reports of government violence. This blackout comes as demonstrations continue across the country, following significant unrest triggered by longstanding grievances.
Human Rights Violations and Internet Shutdowns
According to Rebecca White, a researcher at Amnesty International’s Security Lab, the Iranian government is deliberately obscuring serious human rights violations and international crimes through these internet disruptions. White emphasized that the state has weaponized internet shutdowns, recalling the November 2019 protests where security forces killed hundreds of demonstrators and bystanders during a near-total blackout.
In response to the current situation, White urged the Iranian government to restore full internet access immediately. She stated, “The right to protest extends to digital spaces. Blanket or total internet cuts are inherently disproportionate under international human rights law, and must never be imposed, even in cases of emergency.”
Internet shutdowns not only affect civil liberties but also have severe economic repercussions. According to Sharareh Abdolhoseinzadeh, a political researcher based in Tehran, the internet disruptions during the 2022 “Woman Life Freedom” protests resulted in daily business losses ranging from 500 million to 5 billion Rial. Over three months, these outages have cost Iran an estimated 43% of its annual oil revenue, which totals $25 billion.
Escalating Government Response
As protests enter their second week, reports from Human Rights Watch indicate that the Iranian government is employing lethal force to suppress the unrest. Security forces are utilizing military-grade weapons, metal pellets, and tear gas against largely unarmed citizens. Recent figures show that at least 27 protesters and bystanders, including children, have been killed, with hundreds more injured.
Despite the mounting casualties and economic fallout, the Iranian government has ramped up its rhetoric. Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei has stated that there will be no leniency for protesters, whom he labeled as “enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” This stark warning illustrates the heightened tensions between the government and its citizens, as calls for accountability and reform grow louder.
The situation in Iran remains critical, with international organizations urging immediate action to address both the human rights violations and the economic impact of the internet blackout. The global community watches closely as the Iranian government navigates the challenges posed by civil unrest and the demand for fundamental rights.
