"Nokia Siemens Networks is aware of credible reports that the Iranian
authorities use communications technology to suppress political activity in
a way that is inconsistent with that government's human rights obligations,"
the company said on Sept. 28. "As a result of these credible reports, Nokia
Siemens Networks halted all work related to monitoring centers in Iran in
2009."
"Through use of software provided by Chinese companies, the Iranian
government taps and listens to telephone conversations and monitors targeted
electronic mail exchanges," Ms. Ebadi said.
Executives said Nokia divested its monitoring center business in 2009.
They said the company would no longer provide monitoring centers to any
country, including Iran.
Nokia executive board member Barry French acknowledged that the company
signed a major deal in 2008 without understanding the potential exploitation
of Western equipment by Teheran. He said Nokia would not accept new Iranian
customers and will limit activities with current clients. All Nokia contracts in
Iran were scheduled to end by late 2011.
"Prior to providing a monitoring center to an Iranian mobile operator in
2008, the company believes it should have better understood the possible
implications for human rights in Iran," French said.
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