Iran turns to tech to crush dissent: UN probe

GENEVA: Iran is using digital and surveillance technology and “state-sponsored vigilantism” to crush dissent after the “Women, Life, Freedom” protests in 2022, a UN investigation said on Friday.

Iran is making “concerted state efforts to stifle dissent, perpetuating a climate of fear and systematic impunity”, the United Nations´ Independent International Fact-Finding Mission said in a new report.

These involve “the increased use of technology and surveillance, including through state-sponsored vigilantism”. Iran was rocked by demonstrations after the September 2022 death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old who had been arrested for allegedly violating the strict dress rule for women based on Islamic sharia law.

Widespread anger led to weeks of taboo-breaking protests against the Islamic republic´s system of government under supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In November 2022, the UN Human Rights Council created a high-level investigation into the deadly crackdown.

“For two years, Iran has refused to adequately acknowledge the demands for equality and justice that fuelled the protests in 2022,” said the fact-finding mission´s chair Sara Hossain. “The criminalisation, surveillance and continued repression of protesters, families of victims and survivors, in particular women and girls is deeply worrying.” Since April 2024, Iran increased the policing of, and criminal prosecution against, women defying the mandatory wearing of the hijab, the probe said.