Young Iranian Kurd Mahsa Amini died almost a year ago, on September 16, after being arrested by moral police for violating strict Islamic dress codes.
The controversial death of 22yearold Amini led to violent demonstrations around the world and particularly in Iran, where they ended after severe state repression that resulted in the deaths of at least 500 people and the arrests of dozens of journalists.
Since then Journalists have been systematically persecuted by the Iranian authorities, particularly women. a particularly targeted target of this repression. According to the organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), 79 journalists were arrested in Iran last year alone, 12 of whom are still behind bars.
Women journalists targeted by repressionNiloufar Hamedi, a 29yearold journalist with the Shargh daily, was arrested less than a week after the death of Mahsa Amini. The cause reached out to the hospital where Amini died and posted a photo of the grieving family on social media. “Niloufar Hamedi’s courage and commitment should be rewarded, not punished,” Jonathan Dagher, head of RSF, said in a press release.
Elahe Mohammadi, 36, a journalist with the daily Ham Mihan, was arrested weeks after Amini’s death because she had traveled to Saqquez, the late young woman’s hometown, to cover her funeral.
Both are imprisoned and are on trial for violating national security, a charge they categorically deny. “The arrest for almost a year highlights the Islamic Republic of Iran’s terrible repression of journalists and its rejection of press freedom and reliable information,” Jonathan Dagher added.
Elnaz Mohammadi, Elahe’s twin sister, also a journalist, was arrested in early September and sentenced to three years in prison, most of which was suspended, for conspiracy. According to her lawyer, she will serve less than a month in prison on the condition that she attends “ethics” training under the supervision of Iranian intelligence agents and is not allowed to leave the country.” The Iranian government is determined to do so “To silence two sister journalists and the women whose voices they represent,” condemns the RSF boss.
In recognition of the courageous work of journalists, the Clooney Foundation for Justice (CFJ) founded by the lawyer Amal Clooney and her husband, the actor George Clooney, This year the two sisters were awarded the “Justice for Women” award. “Your courageous work helped bring the death of Mahsa Amini out of the shadows,” said the Clooney Foundation for Justice.
Several human rights groups denounce the repression of Iranian journalists Parisbased Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is calling for an end to “indiscriminate sanctions” against all journalists in the country.
with the France Presse Agency (AFP)