Human Rights Watch: The Trial of Three Female Journalists in Iran is a Continuation of 'Relentless Repression'

On Tuesday, July 2, Human Rights Watch described the new charges against three Iranian journalists as a continuation of the 'relentless repression of the media, human rights defenders, and civil society' by the Islamic Republic. This international human rights organization noted the court session for the trial of Saeedeh Shafiei, Mehrnoush Zarei, and Nasim Soltanbeigi on Tuesday, July 2, for vague charges such as 'propaganda' and 'national security', warning that under Articles 500 and 610 of the Islamic Penal Code, each of these charges could result in a sentence of up to five years in prison. Tara Sepehri Far, a senior researcher at Human Rights Watch for Iran, stated, 'The Iranian judiciary has once again begun to summon and harass journalists and human rights defenders, punishing anyone who does not remain silent.' According to Sepehri Far, 'Officials have been relentlessly pursuing and punishing all those who report on grievances and social issues.' She emphasized that 'the international community must place the cases of journalists and human rights defenders at the center of its interactions with Iran' and urge the Islamic Republic to 'drop these and other ridiculous charges that officials have leveled against journalists.' Nasim Soltanbeigi was arrested by IRGC intelligence agents at the airport while attempting to leave the country on January 21, 2023, and was transferred to Evin Prison. She was eventually released on bail on February 6, 2023, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings. Additionally, Saeedeh Shafiei, a journalist and author of the books 'Daughter of the Spiral' and 'Gorakhan Station', was arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 1, 2023. She was released on bail of 500 million tomans on February 18, 2023, pending the conclusion of legal proceedings. Mehrnoush Zarei Henzeh, who has previously worked with news agencies ILNA, Iska, Chaleh Chrag, and Ana, was also arrested by security forces in Tehran on February 1, 2023, and subsequently transferred to the IRGC's detention center known as Ward 2-A of Evin Prison. This journalist, who suffers from migraines, was deprived of access to her medications during her detention and was eventually released from Evin Prison in late February 2023. Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, in his latest report to the Human Rights Council covering the period from July 31, 2022, to April 15, 2023, stated that during this period, more than 70 journalists, including 25 women, have been arrested, and 16 journalists are still in prison. According to Guterres's report, some of these detained journalists have received sentences ranging from 12 to 18 months in prison, have been banned from leaving the country, and have had their journalistic activities revoked. Based on the latest report from Reporters Without Borders regarding media freedom published on May 2, 2023, Iran ranks 177th out of 180 countries worldwide.