UN Fact-Finding Mission to the Islamic Republic: Restore Internet; Stop Repression

The independent international fact-finding mission of the United Nations regarding Iran has issued a statement urging the Iranian government to immediately restore access to the internet and mobile communications and to end the violent repression of nationwide protests. The mission, noting that the public protests have entered their third week, stated that government officials must refrain from any disproportionate use of lethal force and adhere to their commitments under international human rights law in dealing with the ongoing protests. The statement expressed serious concern over credible information indicating that the Supreme National Security Council of the Islamic Republic has issued an order calling on security forces to carry out a 'decisive' crackdown without showing restraint. According to the mission, such orders could lead to widespread and serious human rights violations. The UN report indicates that as violence has escalated over the past two weeks, access to the internet in Iran has been cut off, and since the evening of January 8, widespread communication blackouts have been implemented in many parts of the country. The fact-finding mission has called on Iranian officials to respect the right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression and to unconditionally release all individuals who have been arbitrarily detained solely for exercising their fundamental rights.