Iran: Nasim Tavafzadeh, Helale Natigeh Detained in Iran's Dissent Crackdown

Authorities detain over 20 people, including four journalists, a prominent social activist, and a teenage girl

Location: Iran, Rasht
Date: November 11, 2023

In a sweeping crackdown on dissent, Iranian authorities have detained at least 20 people, including four journalists, a prominent social activist, and a teenage girl, in the northern city of Rasht. Among the journalists' detained are Moroor news site editor-in-chief Nasim Tavafzadeh and Helale Natigeh. The arrests are part of a broader pattern of human rights violations by the Iranian government. The Coalition For Women In Journalism firmly stands with Nasim Tavafzadeh, Helale Natigeh, and others detained. We vehemently denounce the Iranian regime's aggressive actions towards those who voice dissent. We call upon the global community to step in and prioritize the cases of journalists in their discussions with Iran.

According to Radio Farda reports, four journalists from the Moroor news site, including the editor-in-chief, Nasim Tavafzadeh and Helale Natigeh, were detained by the intelligence arm of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) on November 11. Alongside the journalists, over 10 women and a teenage girl were also taken into custody from their homes. Although the officers produced search warrants during the detentions, they failed to provide any reasons for the detentions.

The authorities have since refused to provide any information to the families of those arrested regarding their whereabouts or the charges they face. This lack of transparency has heightened concerns about the detainees' safety and the conditions in which they are being held.

The detentions mark a further escalation in the Iranian government's ongoing suppression of free speech and dissent. The targeting of journalists, in particular, is seen as a direct attack on the freedom of the press, a fundamental pillar of any democratic society.

CFWIJ has been vigilantly tracking and documenting the transgressions perpetrated by the Iranian regime against women journalists. We are profoundly troubled by the relentless harassment and ill-treatment of women journalists who are simply carrying out their professional duties.

On November 8, Manijeh Moazen, a freelance journalist and translator residing in Tehran, was detained from her home and is currently detained at an unknown location. The circumstances of Moazen's arrest are still unclear, as Iranian authorities have not yet issued an official statement explaining the reasons or potential charges against her. The lack of transparency has heightened concerns about the security and rights of journalists in Iran, a country already under scrutiny for its tight control over the media and freedom of speech.

On October 29, Negar Ostad Agha, a senior editor at Etemad Online, was taken into custody while reporting during the funeral of 16-year-old Armita Geravand, a  teenage girl who tragically passed away after slipping into a coma as a result of an alleged attack by the country's morality police for not wearing a headscarf on the Tehran Metro on October 1.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism (CFWIJ) stands in unwavering solidarity with Nasim Tavafzadeh, Helale Natigeh, and all journalists and individuals unjustly detained in Iran. The recent surge in detentions, notably of journalists and activists, in Rasht and across Iran is not only deeply concerning but also a blatant violation of human rights and freedom of the press. The Iranian government's continued suppression of free speech and the targeting of journalists represent a direct attack on the pillars of a democratic society. The lack of transparency regarding the detentions, especially concerning the conditions and whereabouts of those held, is alarming and unacceptable. We strongly condemn the Iranian regime's aggressive actions toward those who voice dissent and carry out their professional duties. The case of Manijeh Moazen, detained without clear reasons, and Negar Ostad Agha, arrested while reporting, are stark reminders of the perils faced by journalists in Iran. Continuous monitoring and documentation of human rights abuses in Iran are vital. This data should be used to hold the Iranian regime accountable in international forums. We demand authorities release the detainees immediately. And we call on International bodies to prioritize the cases of these journalists and dissenters in their discussions and dealings with Iran.

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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