Islamic Republic of Iran: Computer Crimes Law

Executive Summary
The Computer Crimes Law of the Islamic Republic of Iran flagrantly violates international
human rights law and is an affront to freedom of expression principles. Extensive legal
reform, including the repeal of the Computer Crimes Law, is urgently required to protect the
right to freedom of expression in Iran.
ARTICLE 19 notes with concern that the
Computer Crimes Law is only the latest
addition to the Islamic Republic of Iran’s
vast censorship apparatus. It demonstrates
the resolve of the Iranian Government to
pursue human rights defenders, bloggers and
journalists through electronic media: the last
available sanctuary for freedom of expression
and political dissent in the country.
The Computer Crimes Law is saturated
with provisions that criminalise legitimate
expression. Crimes against “public morality
and chastity” and the “dissemination of
lies” are engineered to ensnare all forms of
legitimate expression. These include broad
criminal defamation and obscenity provisions
that are antithetical to the right to freedom of
expression. Essential elements of offenses are
described with ambiguity and in vague and
overbroad terms. No defences are available
to individuals acting in the public interest.
Unfettered discretion is conferred on the
Government to pursue its own prerogatives
above the interests of the public and the
imperatives of international human rights law.
The Computer Crimes Law mandates
severe sentences that penalise legitimate
expression and offend the proportionality
principal that is fundamental to human
rights protection. ARTICLE 19 is particularly
appalled at the availability of the death
penalty for crimes committed against public
morality and chastity. Other sanctions
on legitimate expression include lengthy
custodial sentences, draconian fines, and
judicial orders to close organisations and
ban individuals from using electronic
communications. These penalties also
apply to Internet Service Providers that
fail to enforce content-based restrictions,
incentivising the private sector to promulgate
Iran’s censorship culture.
ARTICLE 19 believes that restoring the right
to freedom of expression in Iran requires
wholesale reform to redress the conceptual
failure signified by the Computer Crimes
Law. Protection and promotion of freedom
of expression must be reasserted as norms
and limitations on free expression as the
exception.
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