Iranian Writers Association: Censorship is a Tool of the Government to Suppress Social Movements

The Iranian Writers Association issued a statement on the occasion of December 4, 'Censorship Resistance Day,' which was designated by this organization itself. It stated that censorship is one of the government's tools for suppressing social movements and called on all individuals and organizations active in various social fields to recognize and support this day. In the statement, released late on Sunday, it was recalled that 'fifteen years ago, in November 2008, the Iranian Writers Association named December 4 in memory of two martyrs of the freedom of thought and expression, Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammad Jafar Pouyandeh, as Censorship Resistance Day.' It emphasized that fighting against censorship is an act of exercising the right to freedom of expression. According to this association, 'although at that time, designating a day to draw the community's attention to censorship was very necessary and important, the passage of time and the emergence of various events in cultural, social, and political life have underscored this importance and demonstrated the destructive role that censorship plays as one of the fundamental forms of violating freedom of expression in people's lives.' The Iranian Writers Association considered censorship over the past four decades as one of the 'determining tools in the hands of the government' for suppressing social movements, countering cultural advancement, imposing a single voice, and deceiving and engineering thoughts. It noted, 'If all these realities have not shown the importance of freedom of expression and the function of censorship and the designation of a day to specifically address it, the 'Women, Life, Freedom' movement in the past year has clearly revealed it.' The statement adds, 'In the fifteen years since the designation of December 4 as Censorship Resistance Day, the intensity and scope of censorship have increased. However, alongside the imposition of censorship by various institutions, there have been movements, organizations, and individuals who have resisted, including the Iranian Writers Association, which has made a life-threatening effort at the cost of the lives of those seeking freedom of expression. The name of Baktash Abtin reminds us of this reality.' The Iranian Writers Association further emphasized that 'continuing resistance against censorship is an act of exercising the right to freedom of expression, and those who do so fulfill their right to freedom. This means living freely under authoritarian conditions.' Mohammad Mokhtari and Mohammad Jafar Pouyandeh were activists of the Iranian Writers Association who were killed in 1998 during the political murders known as the 'chain murders' by agents of the Islamic Republic's Ministry of Intelligence. A new wave of censorship in cyberspace; the judiciary considers 'any content' that supports Israel as a 'crime.' Cultural teachers' unions: The family of Armita Garavand was threatened with silence at a mourning ceremony. Iranian media's account of the restrictions and prohibitions on reporting about Armita Garavand; you must have permission. Exclusive interview with two journalists in Iran; from confronting 'falsehood' to arrest on charges of 'black portrayal.' The Iranian Writers Association: The government refuses to respond to ambiguities regarding the murders of Dariush Mehrjui and Vahidah Mohammadi Far.