In December 2025, the HAMRAH Initiative, in partnership with FEMENA, convened an Afghanistan–Iran civil society exchange on one of the most urgent and escalating threats to civic space today: internet shutdowns, censorship and surveillance.

The online exchange followed a nationwide communications blackout imposed by the Taliban in late September 2025, which cut internet and phone services across Afghanistan for several days. The consequences were far reaching and severe. Alternative education programmes were disrupted, women human rights defenders and journalists cut off from their colleagues and support networks, and already fragile protection and humanitarian services further undermined.

Within a few weeks  of the  exchange, Iran experienced a renewed, prolonged internet blackout, once again demonstrating how quickly digital shutdowns are deployed to suppress dissent, isolate communities, and undermine civil society of the importance of.

Drawing on years of experience of navigating blackouts and digital surveillance, Iranian civil society participants shared practical lessons on preparedness, secure communication, and organisational resilience. As one digital security expert reflected, “The key is to be prepared, have the tools, and educate yourself. Understand what each tool is for. Think and plan for a crisis. Build internal capacity.”

Building on the exchange, HAMRAH and its partners are now translating lessons learned into sharable resources including tools, protocols, best practices, and contingency planning, to assist our members and other civil society actors to stay connected and safe.