Iran: Journalist Manijeh Moazen Detained, Whereabouts Unknown

The apprehension of Manijeh Moazen signals a deepening crisis for journalists in Iran following a series of detentions and harsh penalties against media 

Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: November 8, 2023

Iranian authorities have detained journalist and translator Manijeh Moazen in the midst of an escalating crackdown on the media. The exact reason behind the arrest and the institution responsible remain undisclosed. The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in unwavering solidarity with Manijeh Moazen, who has been unjustly arrested. We vehemently condemn her detention and urgently call for her immediate release.

Manijeh Moazen, a freelance journalist and translator based in Tehran, was detained on November 8 from her home and is currently being held at an undisclosed location. The details surrounding Moazen's arrest remain opaque, with Iranian authorities yet to provide an official statement regarding the reasons or potential charges against her. The lack of transparency has intensified worries about the safety and rights of journalists in Iran, a country already scrutinized for its stringent control over media and freedom of expression.

In a raid that preceded her arrest, security agents reportedly seized several of Moazen's personal items, including her laptop, cellphone, and notebook. These actions suggest a targeted approach toward stifling her journalistic activities.

Moazen's recent work, predominantly for state-run media outlets like Shargh Daily, the economic weekly magazine Tejarat-e-Farda, and the economic news website Ecoiran.com, focused on the realm of Iranian women's sports. This beat, though seemingly innocuous, is indicative of the sensitive nature of reporting on women's issues in Iran, especially in the current socio-political climate.

The arrest of Moazen comes amid a series of actions taken by Iranian authorities against journalists and media personnel, particularly in the wake of the nationwide protests sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini in September 2022. These protests have seen a considerable clampdown on press freedom and have led to the incarceration of several journalists.

This latest incident not only raises alarms about the deteriorating state of press freedom in Iran but also calls for an immediate and concerted response from the international community. The United Nations and other global human rights organizations are urged to monitor the situation closely and advocate for the rights and safety of journalists in Iran.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights defenders, Mary Lawlor, expressed her concern last month, urging the Islamic Republic to put an end to the widespread persecution of journalists and activists. Her statement followed the sentencing of two reporters to a combined 25 years in prison, highlighting the urgent need for international attention and action.

While some journalists have been released on bail, pending trial, or summoned to serve multi-year sentences, the overall situation for press freedom remains precarious.

As the situation in Iran continues to unfold, it is essential to support and protect the brave journalists who risk their lives to shed light on important issues and provide a voice to the voiceless. 

In the last month, CFWIJ has documented numerous cases of human rights violations against women journalists in Iran. 

On November 6, imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was denied medical treatment for a second time, allegedly due to her non-compliance with mandatory state laws regarding the wearing of the hijab. Mohammadi, who is already in a fragile state of health due to blocked heart veins necessitating angioplasty, urgently requires medical attention. However, authorities have refused to transfer her to a medical facility, citing her refusal to wear the headscarf as the reason for their inaction. 

On October 22, the 15th chamber of Tehran's revolutionary court handed down severe sentences to two prominent journalists, Elaheh Mohammadi from Ham Mihan and Niloofar Hamedi from Shargh Daily. Mohammadi and Hamedi were detained for 13 months before they were sentenced to 12 and 13 years in prison, respectively. The journalists who were convicted of collaborating with the U.S. government, along with other charges, played crucial roles in reporting on the death of Mahsa Amini. Their coverage, which was considered sensitive by the authorities, made them targets in an apparent attempt to suppress dissenting voices and manipulate the narrative surrounding this contentious event. 

On October 29, during her coverage of the funeral for 16-year-old Armita Geravand, who tragically fell into a coma after an incident involving the morality police in the Tehran Metro, Negar Ostad Agha, a well-known journalist and senior editor at Etemad Online, was arrested. 

The Coalition For Women In Journalism stands in solidarity with Manijeh Moazen and all other Iranian journalists detained, arrested, and imprisoned. The targeting of journalists in Iran undermines the fundamental principles of freedom of the press, stifles public discourse, and hampers the country's progress toward accountability. The role of media professionals in any society is crucial, acting as a watchdog and ensuring the dissemination of accurate information to the public. We call on the international community, including human rights organizations and governments, to increase pressure on Iran in light of these alarming developments. It is imperative that they speak out against these violations of press freedom and exert pressure on Iranian authorities to respect the rights of journalists and activists.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.

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