Authorities censored media, jammed satellite television channels, and continued to block and/or filter mobile apps and social media platforms, including Facebook, Google Play, Instagram, Signal, Telegram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter)
and YouTube.
The Internet User Protection Bill, which would violate people’s right to privacy and further erode online freedoms and access to the global internet, remained pending before parliament.
Internet and mobile phone networks were disrupted during and ahead of expected protests.
The authorities resorted to repressive tactics to prevent mass nationwide protests, while security forces crushed smaller
local protests using unlawful force and mass arrests.
In May, security forces used unlawful force against villagers protesting against a house demolition in Gojag village, Hormozgan province, resulting in injuries.
During and in advance of the anniversary of the “Woman Life Freedom” uprising in September, authorities suppressed
protests and memorials, including by arbitrarily arresting relatives of victims and forcing thousands of university students to sign undertakings not to protest.
Attacks on weekly Friday protests in Zahedan city in Sistan and Baluchestan province peaked on 20 October as security
forces unlawfully used tear gas, shotguns and water cannons against thousands of protesters and worshippers, including
children, and carried out mass arbitrary arrests.
Thousands of people, including children, were subjected to abusive interrogations, arbitrary detention, unjust prosecution, and suspension or expulsion from education or employment for peacefully exercising their human rights. Victims included protesters, women removing mandatory headscarves in public, journalists, actors and musicians, writers and academics, university students, LGBTI individuals, and human rights defenders, including women’s rights activists, anti-death penalty campaigners, lawyers, and families seeking truth and justice for victims of unlawful killings.
The authorities continued to ban independent political parties, civil society organizations and trade unions, and subjected workers and labour rights activists to reprisals for striking and holding peaceful gatherings, including on International Workers’ Day.
https://www.amnesty.org/en/documents/mde13/7972/2024/en/
