{"id":3369,"date":"2021-12-08T10:08:02","date_gmt":"2021-12-08T10:08:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/en\/?p=3369"},"modified":"2025-06-03T08:40:58","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T08:40:58","slug":"policy-monitor-november-2021","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filter.watch\/english\/2021\/12\/08\/policy-monitor-november-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy Monitor – November 2021"},"content":{"rendered":"

This November marks the second anniversary of the <\/span>nationwide 2019 fuel price protests<\/span><\/a>, which were met with a nationwide Internet shutdown that lasted for more than a week. The shutdown took place to provide cover for the killing of hundreds of protestors, and the arrest of thousands more. While Iranians have not endured a nationwide shutdown since November 2019, since then there has been a significant rise in the number of localised internet shutdowns, almost always used to disrupt protests and facilitate violent crackdowns against protestors.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The Iranian government has refused accountability and acted with impunity about the events of the 2019 shutdown, as well as the <\/span>subsequent localised shutdowns<\/span><\/a> since. Since these events, the then-Chief Justice Ebrahim Raisi has <\/span>risen<\/span><\/a> to the position of Iran\u2019s President. While a number of civil society groups focused on remembering and seeking justice for the victims of November 2019 at the <\/span>Aban Tribunal<\/span><\/a>, Iran saw yet another localised, internet shutdown in November, this time in response to protests in Isfahan Province. This marks the sixth localised shutdown to be implemented by Iranian authorities since November 2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also in November, further progress was made around the \u201cOnline Services Bill,\u201d this time following an intervention from Iran\u2019s ICT Minister. For a second month, we saw a cyberattack targeting Iranian services, which saw Mahan Air\u2019s website being taken down. Iran\u2019s Parliament also made moves to further crackdown on online betting and gambling, pursuing a proposed amendment to the Islamic Penal Code.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our monthly Network Monitor supplements this report with the latest internet disruptions and outages in Iran.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Localised Internet Shutdown in Isfahan Province Amid Violent Crackdown By Authorities Against Protestors \/\/ Localised Shutdown Also Observed in Khuzestan Province\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

Over the past few<\/span> weeks<\/span><\/a>, multiple protests have taken place in the central province of Isfahan. These protests \u2013 participated in by a significant number of farmers and agricultural workers \u2013 have been taking place on and around dried-out sections of the Zayanderud\u2019s riverbed. The demonstrations have been staged to voice anger and frustration around authorities\u2019 handling of chronic water shortages that have affected the province.<\/span><\/p>\n

On the evening of 25 November, the crackdown commenced, with<\/span> multiple<\/span><\/a> reports<\/span><\/a> of <\/span>security forces\u2019<\/span> use of rubber and pellet bullets<\/span><\/a> and teargas against peaceful protesters, which continued into the next day. A number of injured protesters can be seen in video footage shared by individuals at the scene. Footage has also been shared of<\/span> property damage<\/span><\/a> at the hands of the security forces.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As clashes between protesters and security forces escalated, a mobile internet shutdown was <\/span>confirmed<\/span><\/a> in central areas of Isfahan by cybersecurity and digital rights researcher Amir Rashidi. According to Rashidi, domestic services via the National Information Network (NIN) were also unavailable, however, fixed broadband services were still connected. He added that internet connectivity appeared to vary depending on users\u2019 location within the city. People close to the center of Isfahan (near the site of the protests) reported<\/span> receiving<\/span><\/a> text messages from the judiciary to leave the area immediately. According to figures from Iran\u2019s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRA), a majority of Isfahan\u2019s population rely on mobile internet services for their access: mobile internet penetration rates sit at 103.78%, compared to 17.45% for fixed line broadband connections.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Also on 25 November, Rashidi <\/span>reported<\/span><\/a> that mobile internet had been cut off in the city of Ahvaz, the provincial capital of Khuzestan Province. A number of domestic apps and websites remained accessible. Connectivity was restored the next day on<\/span> 26 November<\/span><\/a> but speeds remained slow. This marks the second internet shutdown in Khuzestan Province this year, with the first taking place i<\/span>n <\/span>July 2021<\/span><\/a>, following water shortage protests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

According to HRANA on 27 November, at least 214 people were<\/span> arrested<\/span><\/a> during the protests in Isfahan, 13 of whom were children. Some of those arrested have been released following the seizure of their IDs and providing written affidavits and statements, while around 150 have been relocated to a variety of prisons and detention centers. According to a<\/span> report<\/span><\/a> by the IRGC affiliated news outlet <\/span>Fars News<\/span><\/i>, Police Special Units Commander Hassan Karami announced that 67 people had been arrested during the protests.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Iran Human Rights<\/span> confirmed<\/span><\/a> t<\/span>hat at least 30 protestors have been hospitalised with eye injuries and at least three protesters have been killed. These figures could rise further as more information becomes available<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/b>The<\/span> rising number of localised internet<\/span><\/a> shutdowns demonstrate just how closely linked Internet shutdowns are to the acceleration and intensification of violent crackdowns on protests. Filterwatch strongly condemns the violent response of security forces in Isfahan, which has already seen multiple protestors killed or seriously injured.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOnline Services Bill\u201d Returns to the Parliamentary Research Centre for Review\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

On<\/span> 29 November<\/span><\/a> the Parliamentary Joint Special Committee responsible for reviewing the \u201cSupporting User\u2019s Rights Online and Core User Services Bill\u201d (also known as \u0637\u0631\u062d \u0635\u06cc\u0627\u0646\u062a in Persian, hereafter referred to as the \u201cOnline Services Bill\u201d) held its ninth meeting.<\/span><\/p>\n

During the session a number of MPs began referencing a letter sent\u00a0 from the ICT Minister, Eisa Zarepour, containing comments and recommendations as a new draft of the Bill sent to the Head of the Committee, Reza Taghipour. Following the MP\u2019s comments, Taghipour eventually confirmed the receipt of the letter and added that it was marked \u201cconfidential\u201d which is why he had not read it out.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

During the meeting three proposals were put forward:\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n