ARTICLE 19 urges Human Rights Council to address free expression in Iran!
REPORT - IRAN 8 September 2009
ARTICLE 19 urges Human Rights Council to address free expression
ARTICLE 19 has provided a Submissionto the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) raising serious concerns about thefailure of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respect and promote freedom ofexpression in that country.
This Submission, which comes as the HRCprepares its Universal Periodic Review of Iran, focuses on the IranianGovernment's failure to fulfill its international obligations to protectthe right to freedom of expression. In particular, ARTICLE 19 examines a number of restrictions on freedom ofexpression contained in the Iranian Constitution, as well as the highlyrestrictive regulation of print media that represents a serious incursionon the structural freedom of the press and its independence from politicalinfluence. ARTICLE 19 is particularly concerned about the extensive contentrestrictions on print media. This includes a lack of objective criteria andclear definitions in the Press Law, which also sets out licensingobligations for all individuals and organisations operating in the presssector, and excessively harsh penalties, including incarceration, floggingand suspension/banning of media outlets, for violations of the Press Law.It also notes that there are a number of problematic administrative andjudicial practices which further heighten the repressive impact of thelegislative provisions, including the inappropriate use of theRevolutionary Court and the issuing of written orders by the Executiveconcerning what material can be discussed in the print media. Furthermore, the submission criticises the Government's control overtelevision and radio broadcasting, and a lack of independent publicservices broadcasting. ARTICLE 19 also raises serious concerns about thenumerous cases of arbitrary arrest and harassment of journalists, bloggersand writers, and outlines instances of internet censorship in Iran. ARTICLE 19 deplores the severe violations of press freedom and freedom ofexpression in Iran and urges the HRC to address them during the review.
http://www.ifex.org/iran/2009/09/08/article_19_submission/
ARTICLE 19 urges Human Rights Council to address free expression
ARTICLE 19 has provided a Submissionto the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) raising serious concerns about thefailure of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respect and promote freedom ofexpression in that country.
This Submission, which comes as the HRCprepares its Universal Periodic Review of Iran, focuses on the IranianGovernment's failure to fulfill its international obligations to protectthe right to freedom of expression. In particular, ARTICLE 19 examines a number of restrictions on freedom ofexpression contained in the Iranian Constitution, as well as the highlyrestrictive regulation of print media that represents a serious incursionon the structural freedom of the press and its independence from politicalinfluence. ARTICLE 19 is particularly concerned about the extensive contentrestrictions on print media. This includes a lack of objective criteria andclear definitions in the Press Law, which also sets out licensingobligations for all individuals and organisations operating in the presssector, and excessively harsh penalties, including incarceration, floggingand suspension/banning of media outlets, for violations of the Press Law.It also notes that there are a number of problematic administrative andjudicial practices which further heighten the repressive impact of thelegislative provisions, including the inappropriate use of theRevolutionary Court and the issuing of written orders by the Executiveconcerning what material can be discussed in the print media. Furthermore, the submission criticises the Government's control overtelevision and radio broadcasting, and a lack of independent publicservices broadcasting. ARTICLE 19 also raises serious concerns about thenumerous cases of arbitrary arrest and harassment of journalists, bloggersand writers, and outlines instances of internet censorship in Iran. ARTICLE 19 deplores the severe violations of press freedom and freedom ofexpression in Iran and urges the HRC to address them during the review.
http://www.ifex.org/iran/2009/09/08/article_19_submission/
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