Censorship Index: No One is Safe from the Suppression of Protests in the Islamic Republic

The organization 'Censorship Index' has addressed the suppression of protesters in Iran. Dizi Radok, the author of this article published on Friday, May 14, initially refers to the death sentence issued for Tomaj Salehi, an Iranian rapper, and condemns it. Tomaj Salehi was awarded the 'Artistic Freedom of Expression' prize by Censorship Index in 2023. The article then discusses the situation of other prisoners related to the protests for 'Women, Life, Freedom' in 2022. Abbas Daris is at risk of execution due to his role in the 2022 protests, while Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, director of the Iran Human Rights Center, states: 'There is no evidence against him except for his forced confessions obtained under torture. His sentence is illegal not only under international law but also under the laws of the Islamic Republic itself.' Reza Rasayi, a Kurdish prisoner, was sentenced to death in October 2023 in a trial described by Amnesty International as 'extremely unfair.' The only evidence against him was his own confessions, which were obtained through torture. Asghar Nikookar, a musician who played music at the graves of those killed in the 2022 protests, was sentenced to five years in prison and is currently serving his sentence under electronic monitoring outside of prison. The author then refers to evidence that emerged last week regarding the sexual assault of Nika Shakerami and her deliberate murder. The Iranian government had previously claimed that Nika Shakerami committed suicide. The article continues by noting the long-standing suppression of women's rights and human rights activists in Iran, especially after the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement, stating that according to reports from two human rights groups ('Iran Human Rights Center' in Norway and 'Together Against the Death Penalty' in France), at least eight Iranian protesters were executed in 2023, six of whom were directly from those arrested during the Mahsa movement and were tried in unfair courts. Censorship Index quotes Mahmoud Amiri-Moghaddam, who states: 'Instilling fear in society is the only way for the regime to maintain power.' Dizi Radok praises Tomaj Salehi's courage, noting that despite being arrested and imprisoned in 2022 on charges of 'propaganda against the regime' and 'insulting the Supreme Leader,' he continues to use his credibility and fame to support nationwide protests in Iran. The article expresses the author's concern about the injustices being forgotten within the country due to external conflicts, including the Islamic Republic's involvement in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, citing Iranian filmmaker Vahid Zarehzadeh, who states: 'Governments often use external conflicts to divert attention from internal issues.'