The UN urged Iranian officials on Thursday are withdrawing a draft law that would impose a prison sentence of up to 30 years for communicating with “foreign companies,” warning that the broad measure could have long-term effects on basic civil liberties in the country.
Sara Hossain, head of the UN fact-finding mission, commented on the potential human rights violations that could arise if the law is passed: said:
We are appalled by the Iranian government’s moves to subject everyday Iranians to blanket criminalization for any contact with the outside world, while people are already suffering isolation due to longstanding international sanctions, the government’s suppression of recent protests, the longest-ever internet shutdown, and U.S.-Israeli airstrikes.
According to the United Nations Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on IranThe comprehensive bill to “combate foreign infiltration” submitted to the Iranian parliament “represents a dangerous escalation in the suppression of fundamental freedoms and the isolation of Iranians from the international community.” The Legislative proposals would require Iranians to disclose activities with foreign companies and “obtain approval of an online system” from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Intelligence Ministry. Contacts with foreign media without prior authorization could become a crime.
Iran is already one of the most repressive countries in the world when it comes to press freedom, ranking first Ranked 177 out of 180 countriesaccording to the World Press Freedom Index from Reporters Without Borders. The domestic political climate in the country has only worsened following the media blackout in 2022 in response to widespread protests following the death of Mahsa Amini and the US-Israeli offensive in 2026.
In March, Human Rights Watch called on the regime to lift restrictions on internet and communications services because civilians were unable to access crucial information during Iran’s conflict with the United States and Israel. In April, the EU extended sanctions against Iran over its human rights violations. Recently, UN experts condemned the ongoing hostilities between the US and Iran in late July, warning that the resurgent conflict is undermining peace and significantly increasing the suffering of civilians in the region.
The mission warned that the bill could also criminalize communications with UN investigators and other international human rights organizations, cutting off the last remaining channels for independent oversight and dialogue between Iranian civil society and the global community. Based on the resolutions of the UN Human Rights Council 12/2, 24/24And S-39/1Human rights victims and civil society must be guaranteed full communication with the Mission without threat of reprisal.
Mai Sato, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Iran, repeated himself He responded to the mission’s request, adding that “intelligence agencies should not be the gatekeepers of the Iranian people’s contact with the world.”
Iran’s Guardian Council still has to pass the law before it comes into force. It is therefore not unlikely that this ban on foreign contact could still take effect.
