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Why the Issue Is Important

Cracking down on internet access and digital rights has been an integral part of the Iranian regimes violent repression of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement. Since fall 2022, regular internet shutdowns have become a new normal; in Sistan and Baluchestan Province, they have occurred every single Friday for fourteen consecutive months. This clampdown is part of a much larger pattern under which the Iranian authorities have worked toward a national information network by centralizing Irans internet infrastructure over the past two decades.

Adebahr is a nonresident fellow at Carnegie Europe. His research focuses on foreign and security policy, in particular regarding Iran and the Persian Gulf, on European and transatlantic affairs, and on citizens engagement.

Beyond impediments like surveillance, the throttling of bandwidth to inhibit traffic, the censorship of web pages or services, and occasional complete shutdowns of mobile data or the internet, the states monopolization of internet infrastructure has led to the digital isolation of Iranians and near-total governmental control. These measures severely infringe Iranians human rights, inhibiting them from communicating and interacting socially, politically, and economically with each other and with the international community. In response, the EUs strategic interest lies in mitigating censorship and enabling access to information, especially for civil society.

Barbara Mittelhammer is an independent political analyst and consultant. Her research focuses on human security, gender in peace and security, feminist foreign policy, and the role of civil society in foreign policy making.

Digital repression by the Iranian authorities goes far beyond the infringement of internet access and individual rights. Instead, the regime is pursuing a strategic plan to advance and continue its digital repression and control to further isolate the countrys citizens from the world. So far, the EUs response has not been commensurate with the scope of such actions and the urgency of their implicationseven though it is in the unions interest both to realize Iranians digital rights and to prevent authoritarian regimes worldwide from strengthening their repressive capacities.

Barbara Mittelhammer is an independent political analyst and consultant. Her research focuses on human security, gender in peace and security, feminist foreign policy, and the role of civil society in foreign policy making.

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Upholding Internet Freedom as Part of the EU's Iran Policy - Carnegie Europe