Iranian Parliament Opposes Cancellation of Closed Review of ‘Safeguard’ Bill
The Iranian Parliament (Majlis) opposed the removal of the bill known as “Safeguarding Users’ Rights” from the framework of Article 85 of the Islamic Republic’s Constitution. Hours earlier, it had been announced that representatives had voted in a straw poll to cancel the closed review of the bill.
130 representatives out of 262 present in the open session of the Iranian Parliament on Tuesday morning, Mordad 19 (August 10), voted to continue reviewing the “Safeguarding Users’ Rights in Cyberspace and Regulating Social Messengers” bill based on Article 85 of the Islamic Republic’s Constitution. Despite 121 opposing votes and 7 abstentions, the bill will now be reviewed in closed session.
Hours earlier, the Iran Students News Agency (ISNA) had reported that representatives had agreed in a straw poll to cancel the non-public review of the bill.
Two weeks prior, representatives had approved the review of this controversial bill under Article 85 of the Constitution, according to which the bill would be examined by a joint committee.
As stated in Article 85 of the Islamic Republic’s Constitution, the Iranian Parliament “in necessary cases” can delegate the authority to enact certain laws to its internal committees. In such cases, these laws are implemented experimentally for a period determined by Parliament without requiring approval in the open session.
The “Safeguarding Users’ Rights in Cyberspace and Regulating Social Messengers” bill has faced widespread protests, and several Parliament members have criticized it.
Cyberspace security experts view this bill as leading to internet blocking and intensified filtering.
Implementing the bill in its current form could filter all internet service platforms including Google, Instagram, and WhatsApp. According to Clause 2 of Article 28 of the bill, almost all major platforms would be blocked if they do not obtain a license and introduce a representative in Iran within four months of the bill’s implementation.
Source: DW
