Coalition Urges Support for Internet Freedom Legislation Benefiting Iranian Civil Society
On October 4, 2024, a coalition of organizations led by the Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian Americans (PAAIA) submitted two significant letters to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. These letters express strong support for the Internet Reach and Access Now (IRAN) Act (H.R.9299) and the Iran Internet Freedom Act (S.5076), both designed to enhance internet freedom for the Iranian populace amid increasing censorship and surveillance by the Iranian regime.
The IRAN Act, introduced by Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-CA) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY), and the Iran Internet Freedom Act, introduced by Senators Ben Cardin (D-MD) and James Lankford (R-OK), represent bipartisan efforts to ensure internet freedom in Iran. These bills share common goals, including comprehensive strategies to support internet freedom, guidance for technology companies, enhancement of VPN and satellite accessibility, and measures to circumvent internet blackouts imposed by the Iranian regime. However, the Senate version also authorizes over $30 million in Open Technology Fund grants to support reliable and secure internet service in Iran.
The coalition letters specifically urge the respective committees to prioritize and advance these bills through markup (process in which committees pass bills). The letters highlight the critical role of the internet in enabling civil society to document abuses and organize for change, particularly as the Iranian regime intensifies its oppressive measures against dissent.
Broad Support for the Initiative
The letters received backing from a diverse array of organizations including the Center for Human Rights in Iran, Freedom House, Iranian American Democrats of California, and the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI). Notably, Lantern and Psiphon, two of the largest VPN service providers for Iranian civil society, also signed on, underscoring the practical importance of secure online access for activists and everyday citizens in Iran.
These organizations emphasize that the advancement of these legislative efforts is a significant step towards supporting the Iranian people’s quest for human rights and democracy, reaffirming the importance of open internet access in a connected global community.
Call on your members of Congress to support these initiatives and champion the rights of the Iranian people to internet freedom as a fundamental human right.
