The United Nations has raised alarms over a proposed Iranian legislative measure that could impose severe penalties, including up to 30 years of imprisonment, for citizens communicating with foreign entities. The draft, known as the “Countering Foreign Infiltration” bill, has been described as a considerable threat to civil liberties, with potential long-term impacts on Iranian society.
Sara Hossain, chair of the UN Fact-Finding Mission on Iran, expressed grave concerns over the bill, emphasizing that it could lead to blanket criminalization for contacting the outside world. This development is particularly troubling given the country’s existing isolation due to lengthy international sanctions, suppression of recent protests, extensive internet shutdowns, and continuous US-Israeli tensions. The bill mandates Iranians to report their interactions with foreign organizations and seek prior approval from an online system controlled by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Ministry of Intelligence. Without this authorization, even communication with foreign media may be deemed illegal.
Iran’s existing restrictions on press freedom have already placed it near the bottom of the Reporters Without Borders World Press Freedom Index. The internal political situation has only worsened following a series of media blackouts enacted in response to nationwide protests triggered by the death of Mahsa Amini. The EU and Human Rights Watch have repeatedly called for lifting these restrictions to restore access to essential information.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission underscores that the bill could inhibit communication with UN investigators and other international human rights groups, thereby cutting off vital avenues for oversight and dialogue. This concern is rooted in UN Human Rights Council resolutions, which uphold the unimpeded communication rights of civil society and human rights victims. Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, has reiterated that intelligence services should not control Iranian citizens’ contact with the global community.
The ultimate approval of the measure lies with Iran’s Guardian Council, yet there remains a distinct possibility that the restrictive legislation could become law. As the international community closely watches this unfolding situation, there are fears that its implementation would significantly isolate Iranian society from international engagement and scrutiny.
For more in-depth coverage, the developments surrounding this issue are documented here.