Analysis of International Principles, Rules and Procedures Regarding Internet Disconnection in Emergency and Security Conditions

Nowadays, the right to access the Internet is considered as a tool to achieve the right to freedom of expression, and governments have a duty to ensure widespread access to the Internet. Of course, emphasizing the right to access the Internet does not mean ignoring and unrespecting the sovereignty of states in emergencies. In other words, in International Human Rights System, when there is confrontation between maintaining national security and public order and human rights, such as the right to access the Internet, Support for national security and public order is a priority, although it leads to the restriction and temporary suspension of human rights. The question that arises in this article is how to analyze the action of the Islamic Republic of Iran in disconnecting the Internet in November 2017.In response to this question, the present study has been conducted with a descriptive-analytical approach and using library resources and valid international documents and judicial procedures. It is based on the premise that the International Rules for the Imposition of Restrictions and Suspensions on Internet access in the event of crisis for all countries, including the Islamic Republic of Iran.