Reporters Without Borders Calls for the Release of 11 Imprisoned Journalists in Iran - 2003-11-06

Following the visit of Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo (the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Opinion and Expression) to Iran, Reporters Without Borders in Paris issued a statement calling for the release of 11 imprisoned journalists in the country. In its statement, it said: "On the eve of Mr. Ambeyi Ligabo's visit to Iran regarding the right to freedom of expression and opinion, Reporters Without Borders urges Iranian authorities to use all means to facilitate his meeting with imprisoned journalists, particularly allowing him to meet with those held in solitary confinement. Reporters Without Borders especially calls on the authorities of the Islamic Republic to take this opportunity to unconditionally release all imprisoned journalists in Iran and lift the bans on all suspended publications. Reporters Without Borders expresses deep concern for the situation of Iraj Jamshidi, the editor of Asia newspaper, whose family and lawyer have been unaware of his condition for more than 120 days." The organization further mentioned the following 11 imprisoned journalists in Iran: 1 - Akbar Ganji, journalist of the suspended newspaper Sobhe Emrouz, imprisoned since April 21, 2000. 2 - Hassan Youssefi Eshkouri, journalist of the suspended magazine Iran Farda, imprisoned since July 5, 2000. 3 - Hossein Ghazian, journalist of the suspended newspaper Norooz, imprisoned since September 30, 2002. 4 - Abbas Abdi, journalist of the suspended newspaper Salam, imprisoned since November 4, 2002. 5 - Alireza Jabari, journalist of the suspended magazine Adineh and collaborator with many independent newspapers, imprisoned since March 16, 2003. 6 - Siamak Pourzand, collaborator with many independent newspapers, imprisoned since April 29, 2003. 7 - Taghi Rahmani, journalist of the suspended weekly Omid Zanjan, imprisoned since June 15, 2003. 8 - Reza Alijani, editor of the suspended Iran Farda and winner of the 10th Reporters Without Borders and French Foundation award in 2001, imprisoned since June 15, 2003. 9 - Hadi Saber, editorial member of Iran Farda, imprisoned since June 15, 2003. 10 - Iraj Jamshidi, editor of Asia newspaper, imprisoned since July 7, 2003. 11 - Alireza Ahmadi, journalist of Asia newspaper, imprisoned since July 29, 2003. The website address of Reporters Without Borders in Persian is: http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=3242