A/HRC/31/69 in the world.28 It also ranked 173rd out of 180 countries on the 2015 World Press Freedom Index.29 In its response, the Government notes that restrictions imposed on the freedom of expression are consistent with articles 18 and 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. It also alleges there are “several pieces of corroborative evidence” that prove the charges against Jason Rezaian. 40. The Special Rapporteur regrets what appears to be a widening crackdown on freedom of expression and opinion during the reporting period, punctuated by a series of arrests carried out by the intelligence unit of the Revolutionary Guards and harsh sentences against journalists, cyberactivists and artists. President Rouhani has reportedly criticized the series of arrests as being like an “infiltration network” and noted the apparent connection between allegations made in ultraconservative news outlets and arrests that follow.30 41. Security forces have reportedly increased efforts to monitor Internet cafes across the country, especially in the capital. The chief of security forces in Tehran, Hossein Sajedu, stated: “The scheme that has been in force since the beginning of the year has meant that the [cyber] police, along with security force agents, have carried out 5,280 inspections on Internet cafes in the Greater Tehran region.… The operation is meant to maintain calm and security in Tehran neighbourhoods … the security forces will crack down on any immoral and illegal act by Internet cafe owners.” 31 Over 272 Internet cafe businesses have been repeatedly shuttered in 2015 for their alleged “threat to societal norms and values”.32 In its response, the Government notes that according to article 22 of the Cybercrime Law, a committee operating under the judiciary is tasked with identifying websites that intend to threaten security and public calm, promote offences against public morals and chastity, spread falsehoods and support terrorist groups. 42. As at the time of writing, the parliament was considering a political crimes bill in an attempt to operationalize article 168 of the Constitution, which stipulates that “political crimes” must be tried in open court, before a jury. On 24 January 2016, parliament reportedly approved several key provisions of the bill, including article 1, which would effectively criminalize attempts to “reform the country’s policies” and article 2, which reaffirms the Government’s authority to criminalize the “publication of lies” as well as insults or defamation against government officials, including the President and his deputies, the head of the judiciary and members of parliament.33 C. Freedom of association and the right to free and fair elections 43. Elections for the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the country’s parliament, and the Assembly of Experts, which selects the Supreme Leader and has the power to supervise him, were held in the Islamic Republic of Iran on 26 February 2016. The Guardian Council vets all candidates, monitors the voting process and certifies election results for all elections, 34 effectively dictating the pool of candidates from which Iranians may select government officials. Candidates are qualified on the basis of a range of criteria, most 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 12 See https://cpj.org/2015/04/10-most-censored-countries.php. See https://rsf.org/en/ranking. See www.iranhumanrights.org/2015/12/90-iranian-journalists-statement/. See http://en.iranwire.com/features/6771/. Ibid. See www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-politics-idUSKCN0V20P9. It is important to note that these actions are already criminalized in the Islamic Penal Code and other laws such as the Press Law. The bill, however, would allow defendants the right to a jury trial in open court if it is determined that the crimes they committed qualify as “political”. Art. 99 of the Constitution.