such as the “dissemination of lies” and what is deemed to offend “public morality and chastity”.4
The 1986 Press Law and its subsequent amendments also significantly obstruct the right to
freedom of expression, particularly for the media.5 The law mentions that publications should
“duly [observe] Islamic criteria and the best interests of the community”. It also provides twelve
conditions under which the press might be censored, including “publishing heretical articles”,
“spreading fornication and forbidden practices”, and “propagating and spreading
overconsumption”.6
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 conspiring against the State,11 encouraging
people to “violate public morals”12, as well as anyone who satirises an individual or publishes a
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; these crimes are
punishable by death.
The UN Declaration on Human Rights Defenders (HRDs), adopted by consensus by the UN
General Assembly in 1998, recognises the role of HRDs in the advancement of human rights.
The Declaration established specific measures that sought to ensure the protection of HRDs,
given their exposure to additional and specific risks whilst carrying out their professional
activities. While the Declaration is not a binding document, it articulates existing international
human rights in a context applicable to the work of HRDs. Notably, the Declaration reiterates the
State’s duty to protect the rights to freedom of expression,17 assembly18 and association19 for all,
4
“Islamic Republic of Iran: Computer Crimes Law,” ARTICLE19, 2012. https://bit.ly/1RecP6R
The Press Law and its subsequent amendments up until 2002 is available at: http://irandataportal.syr.edu/press-law
6
Iranian Press Law, Article 6.
7
The Islamic Penal Code available at: http://rc.majlis.ir/fa/law/print_version/845048
8
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:
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
Article 286 Islamic Penal Code 2013.
17
Article 19, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
18
Article 21, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
19
Article 22, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
5
2