PEN America Calls for Immediate Release of Iranian Cartoonist Atena Farghadani

PEN America, in a statement condemning the detention of Iranian cartoonist Atena Farghadani, called for her immediate and unconditional release. The organization stated that Ms. Farghadani was summoned and arrested on June 7 after posting a satirical cartoon on her Instagram. In its statement, it wrote: "Cartoonists should not be harassed for their creative expression." PEN America further expressed deep concern about Atena Farghadani's condition, emphasizing that her arbitrary arrest reflects the increasing offensive attacks by Iranian officials against artists, journalists, and democracy activists, and the lack of information regarding the reasons for Farghadani's arrest is another indication of the authorities' complete disregard for the rule of law and their ongoing efforts to target and intimidate artists into silence. Atena Farghadani was sentenced to 12 years and 9 months in prison in August 2014 on charges of "activities against the regime," "insulting members of parliament through drawing cartoons," and "gathering and colluding against national security." Two years later, the appeals court reduced her sentence to 18 months, and ultimately, Atena Farghadani was released from Evin Prison on April 30, 2016. The reason for her arrest was a cartoon depicting members of the Islamic Republic's parliament as monkeys and goats in protest against two bills on "voluntary sterilization" and "preventing access to contraceptive tools." According to PEN America, the Islamic Republic of Iran ranked second in 2022 for imprisoning writers, with 39 cases. More than one-third of the total number of imprisoned female writers worldwide are also held in the Islamic Republic. Atena Farghadani's lawyer states that her client will be released soon. Amnesty International protested against the virginity test conducted on Atena Farghadani. Atena Farghadani refused to accept bail and was transferred to prison, stating, "I have committed no crime." Atena Farghadani, a painter, cartoonist, and former political prisoner, was detained. In an interview with The Washington Post, she stated her intention to stay and work in Iran. Atena Farghadani, a cartoonist and children's rights activist, was released after two years. Amnesty International considered the forced medical examination on Atena Farghadani as a form of torture.