Nasim Soltanbeigi Awarded Freedom of Expression Prize by 'Index on Censorship'

The international organization 'Index on Censorship' has announced Iranian journalist Nasim Soltanbeigi as the winner of its 2024 'Freedom of Expression' award in the journalism category. The organization emphasized that this award is given for Ms. Soltanbeigi's 'brave, impactful, and determined' journalism, which has led to the exposure of censorship and other threats to freedom of expression. Nasim Soltanbeigi has been active as a journalist for over 15 years, writing political, social, and women's rights reports for various media outlets in Iran. Her journalistic focus has been reported on social issues, homelessness, and drug shortages. According to 'Index on Censorship', during the 'Women, Life, Freedom' protests, she contacted foreign journalists to 'ensure that the issues of the protests and the repression of protesters reached international audiences.' This journalist was arrested in December 2022 while leaving Iran and was temporarily released on heavy bail in mid-February of the same year. In July 2023, she was sentenced to three years and seven months in prison for 'gathering and colluding against national security' and eight months for 'propaganda against the regime,' and was released after four months for medical reasons. Soltanbeigi had previously been arrested several times for participating in gatherings of women's rights activists in Iran. During her detention, various human rights and journalism organizations issued statements calling for her and other detained journalists' release in Iran. Nasim Soltanbeigi herself has stated about the state of journalism in the Islamic Republic: 'Censorship in Iran creates new boundaries every day. Security institutions expand censorship through arrests, summons, and illegal actions.' She added that although Iran is on the list of the top 10 countries with the largest number of imprisoned journalists, 'we independent journalists always stand by the truth and the people. Despite the threats and difficulties of the challenging path to freedom, I believe that a free press is the way to enlighten the truth and achieve a humane society.' Reporters Without Borders called for the unconditional release of Nasim Soltanbeigi and Saideh Shafiei, another imprisoned journalist, in a statement in December 2023, reminding that the sentences for these two were carried out just one month after the Iranian judiciary sentenced Elaheh Mohammadi and Niloufar Hamedi to 12 and 13 years in prison, respectively. Mohammadi and Hamedi were arrested for writing reports about the death and burial of Mahsa Zhina Amini, who died in police custody in September 2022. The death of this young girl and the actions of journalists, artists, and women activists subsequently brought the civil political scene in Iran into a new phase of open opposition to government pressures, which continues. The Freedom of Expression Awards from 'Index on Censorship' celebrate the brave efforts of individuals and organizations worldwide to support freedom of expression, defend the right to information, and fight against censorship. The awardees, selected by a distinguished panel of judges, are honored for their extraordinary courage and commitment to truth, justice, and human rights, despite facing serious threats, including harassment, imprisonment, and even death.