SWALWELL INTRODUCED BILL TO PROMOTE INTERNET FREEDOM AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION IN IRAN

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last month, Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY) introduced the Internet Reach and Access Now Act or IRAN Act to promote internet freedom and access to information in Iran. 

According to the Freedom House Index, Iran has the third worst internet freedom score in the world. The government of Iran uses the internet as a tool of political repression and surveillance. But the people of Iran are standing up and demanding basic human rights, freedom, and democracy. Access to the open internet can be a tool for political organizing, the free exchange of ideas and a connection to the global community of democratic peoples. Promoting internet freedom in Iran is a critical element of supporting the Iranian people in their struggle for a peaceful and democratic Iran.

“Iran is one of the most oppressive governments when it comes to internet freedom,” said Rep. Eric Swalwell (CA-14). “My goal with this bill is to promote access to internet freedom for Iranian civilians. Ultimately, the future of Iran should be up to its people, but every Iranian deserves the right to free and open access to information and the internet. I’m glad to have met with Iranian American leaders in my district, many of whom still have loved ones living under the oppression of the regime, to advocate on their behalf for a solution to this human rights issue. Together, we must all fight to support the people of Iran in their fight for freedom and democracy.”

“The Iranian mullahs know their regime lacks popular support and engages in political suppression and surveillance, limiting Iranians' ability to organize, communicate freely, and connect with the outside world to prop up their despotic regime,” said Rep. Claudia Tenney (NY-24). "This landmark legislation mandates the State Department implement the Comprehensive Strategy to Promote Internet Freedom and Access to Information in Iran to promote open Internet access for all Iranians, equipping them with the tools to pursue democracy and peace in their country. We must continue to empower and support the people of Iran in their fight against this brutal regime."

“As the people of Iran continue to stand against their government’s campaign of oppression, they are faced by difficulties compounded by an inability to access an open internet,” said Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36). “An accessible internet is essential to organizing, sharing ideas and promoting peace. To support the ongoing campaign for human rights and democracy in Iran, the United States must do what it can to encourage internet access for Iranian civilians. I am glad to join my colleagues in introducing the Internet Reach and Access NOW Act to establish internet access and bolster the fight for freedom in Iran.”

"By supporting the IRAN Act, we take a stand for the Iranian people's fundamental right to internet freedom, a cornerstone of their democratic aspirations and insistence on human rights,” said Neda Bolourchi, PAAIA Executive Director. "PAAIA and the Iranian American community greatly appreciate and thank Representatives Swalwell and Tenney for their leadership in championing this vital legislation, which is a beacon of hope for those striving for a future where their voices can be heard, and their rights respected."

“Internet access is critical for the Iranian people to exercise their rights to freedom of expression and access to information, yet time and time again the Iranian regime shuts off the internet to hide atrocities and silence dissent,” said Annie Boyajian, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, Freedom House. "The Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act will play an essential role to help Iranians circumvent internet blackouts and ensure tech companies provide Iranians access to technologies.”

The IRAN Act Would:

• Amend the duties of the Secretary of State to permanently include implementing a comprehensive strategy to promote internet freedom in Iran, coordinating such efforts between the heads of other federal departments for maximum efficacy, and updating the strategy on an ongoing basis. This is the first time the US Government will be statutorily required to pursue a strategy to promote internet freedom in Iran.
• Require the State Department to update the Comprehensive Strategy to Promote Internet Freedom and Access to Information in Iran, which was required by the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 (22 U.S.C. 8754). The IRAN Act adds three new objectives for the comprehensive strategy to ensure the strategy more accurately reflects the needs of Iranian civilians and civil society. The new objectives are:
  • Evaluating the use of virtual private networks (VPNs) and direct-to-cell satellite technologies by civil society and human rights activists in Iran and developing strategies for increasing the accessibility of VPNs.
  • Developing guidance for the Department of the Treasury to ensure that enforcement of sanctions does not prevent companies from providing to Iranian civilians the technology and other tools necessary to access the open internet.
  • Assessing the ability of the Iranian regime to cut off all access to the internet and developing strategies to circumvent internet blackouts for Iranian civil society.
• Require a report to relevant Congressional Committees, allowing for a classified annex, on the updated comprehensive strategy within 120 days of the enactment of this law.

The IRAN Act has 21 bipartisan cosponsors - Reps. Ted Lieu, Brian Fitzpatrick, Ro Khanna, Maria Salazar, Gerald Connolly, Michael Lawler, Virginia Foxx, Nicole Malliotakis, Gus Bilirakis, Anna Eshoo, Rob Wittman, Scott peters ,Brad Schneider, Barbara Lee, Cory Mills, Stephanie Bize, Mike Levin, Jim Himes, Adam Schiff, Dan Goldman, Josh Gottheimer Jim Costa.

H.R. 9299 is endorsed by – Freedom House, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA), J Street, United for Iran, Iranian American Democrats of California, Psiphon & Lantern (the two largest providers of VPN services to Iranian civil society).

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