WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Senator James Lankford (R-OK) introduced the Iran Internet Freedom Act, marking the second anniversary of the protests sparked by the murder of Jina Mahsa Amini, a young Iranian woman who was beaten to death by the Iranian regime’s morality police. Her murder ignited demonstrations that flooded Iran’s streets, and was met with brutal force by the regime. Two years later, the crackdown continues with the return of mandatory hijab enforcement, intimidation and arrests, and executions seeking to silence the voices of the brave women and men of all ages and backgrounds who peacefully took to the streets.
In recognition of the role that free internet access plays in supporting the Iranian people’s right to protest peacefully, and the regime’s ongoing efforts to block such access, the Iran Internet Freedom Act provides important updates to the U.S. Government’s comprehensive strategy to promote internet freedom and access to information in Iran. It authorizes $30 million over two years for grants through the Open Technology Fund to support open, reliable, and secure internet service in particular to human rights defenders, independent journalists, civil society, and marginalized groups inside Iran.
“Autocrats and dictators around the world have long used internet repression and information blackouts to silence citizens, and the Iranian regime is no exception,” said Chair Cardin. “The Iranian people deserve a better future and a government that does not use violence to respond to peaceful protests. The bipartisan Iran Internet Freedom Act supports Iranian citizens, including human rights defenders and civil society, by helping them stay connected and online – access their own government denies them.”
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