Iran - UNESCO Welcomes the Release of Iranian Journalists Imprisoned for Reporting on the Killing of Mahsa Amini in Police Custody : Niloufar Pourzand

 

UNESCO welcomes the release on bail today of Iranian journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, two of the three laureates of the 2023 UNESCO/Guillermo Cano #PressFreedom Prize. May they be able to continue their vital work to inform.

UNESCO

Background of the case (AI summary):

Niloofar Hamedi and Elaheh Mohammadi, two Iranian journalists, were arrested in September 2022 and later sentenced to prison terms in October 2023.

The specific story that got them in trouble was their coverage of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old woman who died in police custody after being arrested for allegedly violating the country's mandatory hijab law. Hamedi broke the news of Amini's death, while Mohammadi wrote about her funeral.

Their reporting on Amini's death and the subsequent protests was seen by the Iranian government as undermining national security and inciting unrest. Their arrests and convictions have been widely condemned by human rights groups and journalists around the world, who view them as an attempt to silence dissent and intimidate the press.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:
Committee to Protect Journalists: https://cpj.org/
Reporters Without Borders: https://rsf.org/en/iran-journalist-elaheh-mohammadi-held-past-11-months-giving-voice-women
WAN-IFRA: https://www.inpublishing.co.uk/articles/wan-ifra-golden-pen-of-freedom-winners-announced-22066