October 13, 2024 - Iran, Tehran

Women Press Freedom condemns the alarming violation of press freedom represented by the summoning of journalists Niloofar Hamedi and Elahe Mohammadi to begin their five-year prison sentences in the Islamic Republic. The recent announcement by Asghar Jahangir, spokesperson for Iran's judiciary, regarding their sentences—one year for propaganda against the state and five years for assembly and collusion against national security—highlights the ongoing repression of independent journalism in Iran.

We are particularly concerned that Hamedi and Mohammadi have been subjected to such harsh penalties for exercising their rights as journalists, especially following their reporting on the tragic death of Mahsa Amini. Their work is a testament to the critical role that journalists play in fostering transparency and accountability, and yet they have been unjustly punished for it.

Hamedi's legal team has rightly pointed out that she qualifies for amnesty under Iranian law, yet a new enforcement order has been issued that undermines this provision. Such actions not only violate the principles of justice but also illustrate the Iranian regime's broader strategy to silence dissent and intimidate those who seek to uphold truth.

Moreover, we express our solidarity with both journalists, who had previously spent nearly 400 days in detention before being released on bail, as we have documented. The ongoing persecution of Hamedi and Mohammadi is emblematic of the systemic suppression of press freedom in Iran.

Women Press Freedom calls for the immediate halt of these sentences and urges the Iranian authorities to respect the rights of journalists. We demand the release and full exoneration of Niloofar Hamedi, Elahe Mohammadi, and all journalists unjustly imprisoned in Iran. It is crucial for the international community to stand together in defending press freedom and to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its violations of human rights.