Amnesty International has condemned the Iranian government’s recent decision to impose a nationwide internet and telecommunications blackout, a move that has drawn widespread criticism as an attempt to quell mass protests. These protests have reportedly erupted in response to various grievances within the country. The internet monitoring group NetBlocks has identified this blackout as a tool being used to cover up reports of alleged regime brutality. Amnesty’s researcher, Rebecca White, emphasized that these actions seem to mask grave human rights violations and international crimes, underscoring the Iranian government’s routine instrument of internet shutdowns during protests such as the November 2019 demonstrations and the 2022 “Woman Life Freedom” uprising. More details on Amnesty’s stance can be found here.
White further stressed the necessity for the Iranian authorities to restore complete internet access immediately, reminding that under international human rights law, blanket or total internet cuts are inherently disproportionate and are not justified even in emergencies. Meanwhile, the economic consequences of such shutdowns are mounting. Sharareh Abdolhoseinzadeh, a political researcher in Tehran, reported significant financial losses, estimating that disruption during the 2022 protests led to business losses between 500 million to 5 billion Rial daily. This interruption, over three months, amounts to nearly 43% of Iran’s annual oil revenue, which stands at $25 billion.
The unrest, as it enters its second week, has been met with lethal force by the government. Human Rights Watch notes that security forces have been using military-grade weapons, metal pellets, and tear gas against unarmed citizens. According to Iran Human Rights, at least 27 protestors and bystanders, including children, have been killed, and hundreds more injured. Despite these developments, Iranian officials appear unfazed by international criticism. Chief Justice Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei affirmed a hardline stance, promising no leniency for protesters and categorizing them as adversaries of the state.
The implications of the blackout extend beyond economic damage and amplify the international community’s call for accountability and transparency. While Iran navigates this turbulent period, the consequences of stifling communication extend beyond its borders, highlighting the vital role of a free and open internet in maintaining not only fundamental rights but economic stability as well.