Since last night, internet access across Iran has been completely shut down. The nationwide blackout coincided with widespread protests and a massive public presence in the streets, as people across the country demonstrated against the deepening economic crisis, soaring prices, and unprecedented inflation.
On the night prior to the shutdown, large crowds gathered in cities across Iran, openly demanding fundamental change, including an end to the current political system. The scale and geographic spread of the protests reflect profound public dissatisfaction and a collective call for structural political and economic reform.
The deliberate disruption of internet access has significantly heightened concerns about an imminent and widespread crackdown. At present, there is no reliable information regarding the events of last night, including the extent of repression, the number of arrests, injuries, or possible killings. The blackout appears aimed at preventing documentation, communication, and accountability at a critical moment.
Prior to last night’s protests and the subsequent internet shutdown, credible human rights sources had already reported the killing of at least 35 protesters and the arrest of more than 2,000 individuals across Iran. In this context, cutting off internet access places protesters and civilians at serious risk of further violence and abuse, shielded from public and international scrutiny.
Internet Shutdowns as a Human Rights Violation
The denial of access to the internet constitutes a violation of fundamental human rights, including:
- The right to freedom of expression and access to information, as protected under Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), to which Iran is a State Party.
- The right to peaceful assembly, protected under Article 21 of the ICCPR, which is directly undermined when individuals are prevented from organizing, communicating, and reporting on protests.
- In addition, the UN Human Rights Council has explicitly condemned internet shutdowns, affirming that the same rights people have offline must also be protected online, and that blanket network disruptions are neither lawful nor proportionate.
Calls for Immediate Action
The Iranian authorities must immediately end the killing, repression, and arbitrary arrest of protesters and ensure the protection of all individuals exercising their fundamental rights. The government must restore full internet access without delay and allow independent reporting, documentation, and monitoring of the situation.
The demands raised by protesters, including the call for peaceful political transition, free and fair elections under international supervision, and the transfer of power to representatives freely chosen by the people, are legitimate and grounded in international human rights principles, including the right to self-determination.
After more than four decades of systemic repression, censorship, and widespread human rights violations, the people of Iran are entitled to live in dignity, freedom, and justice. The ongoing suppression of peaceful dissent must come to an end, and meaningful change must be allowed to take place through peaceful, democratic, and inclusive processes.