Over 20 journalists detained in Iran. International organizations call for urgent protection of media representatives

35 organizations from around the world, including Reporters Without Borders (RSF), have signed an open letter calling for urgent protection for journalists detained in Iran, in the context of violent repression and almost total restrictions on press activity. According to the latest data published by RSF, 24 journalists are currently detained, including 17 people who were arrested during the wave of protests on September 22, 2022.

According to RSF, as of 8 p.m. on January 8, almost no calls to or from Iran were possible via apps or phone lines. At the same time, news sites and Telegram channels operating in Iran were prevented from continuing their activities. The channels that remained active were mainly those broadcasting official state propaganda about the protests.

The signatory organizations call for the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained in Iran for their peaceful involvement or for exercising their freedom of expression, including Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi. The appeal also covers human and women’s rights defenders, civil society activists, journalists, lawyers, writers, artists, representatives of religious and ethnic minorities, environmental and workers’ rights defenders, students, and all those detained or threatened for exercising their fundamental rights.

In addition, the signatories call for “independent, impartial, and transparent investigations into crimes, torture, lethal use of force by security forces, enforced disappearances, and other serious human rights violations committed in the context of the ongoing protests, to ensure accountability in accordance with international law.”

The International Press Institute (IPI) also condemns the Iranian regime’s attempts to stifle the free flow of news and information. “By cutting off communications, the regime has effectively prevented journalists and citizens from sharing news and information, which many observers see as an effort to cover up the mass atrocities committed by Iranian security forces against the Iranian people in order to stifle the demonstrations,” the organization said.

Amid the largest anti-regime protests in recent years and increasingly violent repression of protesters, Iranian authorities shut down the Internet and mobile services for the country’s approximately 90 million citizens. After ten days, service was partially restored, but Iran remains in an information blackout.