The Minister of Information and Communication Technology Seyed Sattar Hashemi and the Head of Judiciary Power Gholamhossein Mohseni Ejei in a meeting on Tuesday discussed the status of access to the Internet, rejecting any discrimination in communication services.
The meeting was held following the order of the Chief Justice
regarding the examining and making decision on white lines and Internet Pro, in
continuation of the follow-ups of the ICT Minister regarding the necessity of
public access to the Internet.
Hashemi said that people’s equitable access to the Internet is
one of the priorities of the ICT Ministry and reiterated dealing with the
consequences of any irregular practice in the provision of communication
services.
“The priorities of the ICT Ministry are equitable access to
the Internet for the people,” he said, explaining the follow-ups carried out in
the field of protecting users' rights and eliminating discrimination in access
to communication services.
“The issue of fair access to the Internet for the people is
one of the priorities of the ICT Ministry,” he added, “Any irregular procedure
in providing communication services must be contolled.”
Presenting a report on the technical and supervisory measures
of the ICT Ministry, Hashemi added: The investigation conducted show that
violations have been identified in the so-called white lines and Internet Pro.
Necessary follow-up is being carried out for taking legal action and reform the
procedures."
The ICT Minister continued by emphasizing ending the restrictive
approaches in the field of Internet access.
“The continuation of some restrictive policies has not only
led to the formation of paths outside the framework of governance in
cyberspace, but has also paved the way for the emergence and intensification of
discriminatory perceptions in public opinion, including in the form class-based
Internet, Internet Pro, and white lines.”
In the meeting, which was also attended by Attorney General and
Head of Inspection Organization, reports of the relevant agencies on the
various aspects of the white lines and Internet Pro were presented and
reviewed.
According to the Judiciary Power’s Mizan News Agency, Chief
Justice Ejei after listening to the reports said that the feeling of
discrimination will not be allowed to prevail.
He made remarks about the importance of restoring public
rights in the society.
“In the Judiciary Power, we are the guardians of public
rights and will in no way allow the feeling to shape among the people that
discrimination prevails in our society,” Ejei stated.
He stressed that the issue of the white lines and Internet
Pro must be fully and comprehensively determined and a transparent explanation
must be provided to the people.
“If a violation or crime has be committed in this area, which
according to the reports of the agencies in this meeting is certain to have
been committed, it must be stopped and the violators must be dealt with in
accordance with the law and regulations.”
The head of the Judiciary Power added: We are currently in a
state of war, and our main capital in this decisive battle is our dear and
patriotic people.
“We must not allow our core assets become tainted with
pessimism and distrust,” he stressed.