RightsCon Toronto 2018

We want to discuss the most pressing concerns that inhibit the free use of the Internet in Iran, whether coming from the Iranian government (i.e. projects like National Information Network; arrests of Internet users; etc.) or from other actors such as the foreign technology companies (i.e. Apple), or the US government (OFAC sanctions). Using the expertise of the ARTICLE19 team, we will discuss our findings and advocacy from the past year's work with "Tightening the Net", and discuss ways forward to affect change both from the Iranian government and from international forums (i.e. UN mechanisms such as ITU; work with the UN special rapporteur). This discussion will endeavour to encapsulate the wider challenges for digital rights in the MENA region and beyond.