PEN America Calls for the Release of Vafa Ahmadpour, Iranian Protest Rapper

PEN America condemned the arrest of Vafa Ahmadpour, known as "Vafadar," an Iranian protest rapper, by the Islamic Republic in a statement released on Wednesday, February 7. The statement, drafted by the group "Artists at Risk" (ARC), noted that "the arrest of Vafa Ahmadpour is another horrific example of the unjust harassment of rappers and artists like Tomaj Salehi and Saman Yasin who dare to speak out against government policies." Julie Turbo, the director of this group, stated, "The relentless suppression of independent voices by the Iranian government is a blatant violation of fundamental human rights and an assault on artistic freedom." She added that "the Iranian government fears the power of artists because it is aware of the ability of art to inspire citizens to dream of a better and fairer future for all." Vafa Ahmadpour was forced to turn himself in to authorities on Sunday, February 5, after government agents forcibly entered his home and threatened his family. It is still unclear where this protest rapper is imprisoned and what his condition is. Before his arrest, he emphasized in a video that he had said "nothing but justice" and protested against "discrimination and inequality," stating that as "part of the people," he could not remain silent when he saw "rights being denied." The Artists at Risk group also expressed concern for Ahmadpour's family's health and safety, stating they should not be subjected to harassment through their instrumentalization. Vafa Ahmadpour is primarily known for his songs about Mohammad Mehdi Karimi and Mohammad Hosseini, who were executed in prison last year on charges of "moharebeh" for participating in the "Women, Life, Freedom" protests in Iran. Many Iranian artists and writers have faced persecution for participating in or supporting nationwide protests against the Islamic Republic following the death of Mahsa Amini in police custody last year. Iranian singers such as Saman Seydi (Yasin), Mehdi Yarahee, and Tomaj Salehi are among those artists whose treatment by the Islamic Republic has sparked widespread global protests. According to PEN America statistics, Iran was the second-largest prison for writers in the world in 2023. The Artists at Risk group, ARC, is a project of PEN America created to assist artists in danger and strengthen the networks and organizations that support them. This article utilized statements from PEN America and previous reports from VOA. Vafa Ahmadpour, the arrested rapper: "I am not worried about myself; I sacrifice for Iran." Zeinab Mousavi, comedian: "I will be in prison on the anniversary of the Spring of Freedom." Another protest rapper arrested in Iran; Vafadar: The Islamic Republic has taken my family as "hostages." The Kurdistan Human Rights Network: Saman Yasin's health condition is "unsatisfactory." PEN America protests the prison and flogging sentence for Mehdi Yarahee.