Amnesty International has condemned the Iranian government for implementing a widespread internet and telecommunications blackout as protests continue to unfold across the country. The organization claims this blackout is a deliberate tactic to suppress dissent and obscure reports of state violence against demonstrators. According to an online monitoring group, the blackout has severely impacted communication, coinciding with calls for protests against the regime’s actions.
Rebecca White, a researcher at Amnesty International’s Security Lab, emphasized that the Iranian authorities are intentionally concealing serious human rights violations and potential international crimes. She pointed out that internet shutdowns have been weaponized in the past, referencing the November 2019 protests where security forces killed hundreds of individuals amid a near-total blackout, as well as the 2022 “Woman Life Freedom” uprising. White urged the Iranian government to immediately restore full internet access, stating, “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.”
The economic ramifications of these internet shutdowns are significant. Sharareh Abdolhoseinzadeh, a political researcher based in Tehran, reported that businesses have been suffering daily losses between 500 million to 5 billion Rial since the disruption during the 2022 protests. The cumulative effect of three months of internet outages has cost Iran approximately 43% of its annual oil revenue, which is valued at $25 billion.
As the protests enter their second week, Human Rights Watch has reported that the Iranian government is intensifying its response, utilizing lethal force to quell unrest. Security forces are deploying military-grade weapons, metal pellets, and tear gas against largely unarmed citizens. Reports indicate that at least 27 protesters and bystanders, including children, have been killed, with hundreds more injured during the ongoing clashes.
Despite the escalating violence and economic consequences, the Iranian government has intensified its rhetoric. Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei has expressed no leniency towards the protesters, labeling them as “enemies of the Islamic Republic of Iran.” This strong stance reflects the government’s determination to suppress dissent and maintain control over the narrative surrounding the protests.
The situation remains fluid as activists and human rights organizations continue to call for accountability and an end to state-sanctioned violence. The international community is watching closely as Iran grapples with both internal unrest and the implications of its internet policies.
