IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - IRAN
8 March 2007
Twenty-two journalists detained, three still in prison, as authorities
attempt to silence women's voices in Tehran
SOURCE: Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), Toronto

(CJFE/IFEX) - CJFE calls upon the government of Iran to immediately release
three journalists detained after a 4 March 2007 demonstration.
The three women - Shadi Sadr, Mahbubeh Abbasgholizadeh, and Jila
Baniyaghoub - are still being held in Evin Prison, after the remainder of
the original 33 detainees were released yesterday. It appears that these
three have not been released because they drafted the statement that called
for the gathering.
The women had been protesting in front of the Revolutionary Court in Tehran
against the court proceedings against five prominent members of Iranian
women's organizations who were arrested in previous demonstrations.
Of the 33 arrested, 22 were journalists, which points to the possible
targeting of journalists; the demonstration may have been a convenient
occasion to send a further message to Iranian journalists that dissent will
not be tolerated. With so many prominent female journalists being
imprisoned at one time, the government may also have hoped to undermine
coverage of events such as those commemorating International Women's Day on
8 March.
Mahbubeh Abbasgholizadeh is the editor of the "Zanan" quarterly journal.
She has been imprisoned previously for contributing to reformist websites
(see IFEX alerts of 6 April and 6 January 2005, 9 and 5 November 2004;
please note that in previous alerts her name was sometimes spelled
"Abasgholizadeh").
Shadi Sadr is a prominent lawyer, journalist, and activist. She founded
Zanan-e Iran, the first website dedicated to the work of Iranian women's
rights activists, and she has written many articles and books on the
subject of Iranian women and their legal rights.
Jila Baniyaghoub is a well-known journalist. She is the editor of the
website of the Iranian Women's Society and the editor of the society and
women's sections of "Sarmaye" newspaper. Ms. Baniyaghoub had only recently
been acquitted of charges of "acting against national security" and
"participating in an illegal demonstration" for covering the 12 June 2006
demonstration by several thousand women demanding changes in the laws that
affect them (see alert of 8 February 2007; please note that in the previous
alert her name was spelled "Baniyaghoob").
CJFE is very concerned that these three journalists remain in prison
without charge. We urge the Iranian government to mark International
Women's Day with their immediate and unconditional release.
CJFE is an association of more than 300 journalists, editors, publishers,
producers, students and others who work to promote and defend free
expression and press freedom in Canada and around the world.
For further information, contact Executive Director Anne Game at the CJFE,
555 Richmond Street West, Suite 1101, P.O.B. 407, Toronto, Ontario M5V 3B1
Canada, tel: +1 416 515 9622, fax: +1 416 515 7879, e-mail: cjfe@cjfe.org,
Internet: http://www.cjfe.org/
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of CJFE.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit CJFE.
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