These restrictions are reiterated in the revised version of the Islamic Penal Code,7 adopted in
2013. For instance, those participating in peaceful unauthorised assemblies can be sentenced to
prison terms on the charges of “gathering and colluding to commit crimes against national
security” (Article 610 of the Islamic Penal Code),8 “forming a group composed of more than two
people with the purpose of disrupting national security” (Article 498) 9 and/or “membership of a
group with the purpose of disrupting national security” (Article 499). Other criminal charges
include “spreading propaganda against the system”, 10 conspiracy against the State,11
encouragement to “violate public morals”12, as well as satire.13 Similar vaguely worded
provisions criminalise acts, such as swearing at14 or insulting15 “the Great Prophet of Islam”, as
well as “sowing corruption on earth”16. Such acts are deemed to be punishable by death.
All the aforementioned restrictions fail to meet requirements established under international
standards, including the principles of legality and that limitations must be necessary,
proportionate and in pursuit of one of a limited number of narrowly-drawn legitimate aims.17
Consequently, the current Iranian legal framework grants authorities’ significant discretion to
impose overbroad and vague restrictions on individuals’ rights, contravening Iran’s international
human rights obligations. As freedom of expression, assembly and association are central to the
work of HRDs, they are particularly exposed to State restriction and repression.
Iranian authorities frequently rely on the aforementioned legal framework in order to intimidate,
arrest and prosecute individuals who peacefully exercise their rights to freedom of expression,
7
The Islamic Penal Code available at: http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/print_version/845048
The new Islamic Penal Code was introduced in 2013 for an experimental period of five years and was revised in 2016. See the
most updated version of the Islamic Penal Code here on the website of the Iranian parliament:
8
http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/print_version/845048
9
Article 498 Islamic Penal Code 2013, https://iranhrdc.org/islamic-penal-code-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran-
book-five/
10
Article 500 Islamic Penal Code 2013, https://iranhrdc.org/islamic-penal-code-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran-
book-five/
11
Article 610 Islamic Penal Code 2013, https://iranhrdc.org/islamic-penal-code-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran-
book-five/
12
Article 639 Islamic Penal Code 2013, https://iranhrdc.org/islamic-penal-code-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran-
book-five/
13
Article 700 Islamic Penal Code 2013, https://iranhrdc.org/islamic-penal-code-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran-
book-five/
14
Article 262 Islamic Penal Code 2013, https://iranhrdc.org/english-translation-of-books-i-ii-of-the-new-islamic-
penal-code/
15
Article 513 Islamic Penal Code 2013, https://iranhrdc.org/islamic-penal-code-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran-
book-five/
16
17
Article 286 Islamic Penal Code 2013.
Article 19, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
2