Today, the Freedom Online Coalition (FOC) issued a Joint Statement on Internet Shutdowns in the Islamic Republic of Iran, endorsed by 26 FOC Members and 1 FOC Observer.
On January 8, 2025, Iranian authorities imposed a near-total shutdown of Internet and communications services, severely restricting digital connectivity across the country. This shutdown, which reflects a longstanding and worsening pattern by the government to restrict freedom of expression online, has prohibited peaceful demonstrators from exercising their right to freedom of association and peaceful assembly and provided cover for a crackdown on peaceful demonstrators.
The Joint Statement calls on the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran to immediately restore full Internet access and telecommunications services and refrain from further imposing shutdowns of Internet and communications services, blocking or filtering of services, or other measures intended to disrupt individuals’ ability to access and disseminate information or communicate safely and securely. The Joint Statement also calls upon the government to uphold its international human rights obligations, including under Articles 19, 21, and 22 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
Diplomatic coordination and multistakeholder engagement is at the core of the FOC’s efforts to address issues threatening Internet freedom, including Internet shutdowns. The Coalition has previously raised concerns about intentional, state-sponsored disruption to online communications, including through its 2017 Joint Statement on State Sponsored Network Disruptions, 2022 Joint Joint Statement on Internet Shutdowns in Iran and 2023 Joint Statement on Internet Shutdowns and Elections.
To read the full statement, click here.
Media Enquiries:
FOC Support Unit
info@freedomonlinecoalition.com
