Iran: Urgent Policy Recommendations - WPF Calls for End to Abuse of Women Journalists in Iranian Prisons
Violence and mistreatment of women journalists behind bars in Iran is widespread. Enough is enough. We sound the alarm on the multiple ways journalists are targeted, demand immediate action and an end to abuse.
Location: Iran
Date: August 12, 2024
Credit: AFP
Women Press Freedom is gravely concerned about the ongoing human rights abuses against jailed women journalists and activists in Iran, exemplified by the violent assault by a prison guard on Nobel Laureate Narges Mohammadi this week. Today, WPF is launching an urgent warning and a series of policy recommendations directed at the Iranian government, highlighting the dire conditions these women face in detention. From deplorable prison conditions to systematic violence and denial of medical care, the treatment of these women constitutes a severe violation of their fundamental rights. WPF calls for immediate and decisive action to address these abuses, starting with the unconditional release of all women journalists and activists unjustly imprisoned in Iran. This initiative is a critical step in our ongoing commitment to advocating for press freedom and the safety of women who courageously speak truth to power in the face of overwhelming oppression. *Please read our policy recommendations that should be immediately implemented by Iranian authorities.
Women Press Freedom has been meticulously documenting the continued aggressive violations against women journalists in Iran . Based on our alarming findings, we highlight the following pressing concerns:
1 - Detrimental Prison Conditions
Women Press Freedom calls on Iran to urgently improve the conditions in prisons where women journalists and activists are held, and immediately release those who are unjustly held without trial. These women are often detained in overcrowded, unsanitary, and poorly ventilated cells, lacking access to proper nutrition and clean water. The conditions are detrimental to both their physical and mental health.
2- Inhumane Bar from Family and Legal Visits
Women Press Freedom has obtained details from over 20 families of imprisoned women journalists who have been denied any form of communication with their loved ones unfairly held behind bars.
Iran must guarantee that all detained women journalists and activists have regular and unrestricted access to their families and legal representatives. Many detainees are isolated from their loved ones, further leading to severe emotional distress. This isolation is a tactic to further punish and silence these women.
3- Unfair Treatment, Violence, and Medical Risks
Inside Iranian prisons, women journalists and activists like Narges Mohammadi and Sepideh Qolian, face systemic abuse designed to punish and silence them. They are often subjected to prolonged solitary confinement, a tactic used to break their will and silence their voices. Physical violence, including beatings and psychological torture, is rampant. Women are also frequently denied access to adequate medical care, even when suffering from chronic illnesses or conditions that have worsened due to the harsh conditions of their detention. This neglect puts their lives at significant risk.
“Families and lawyers, who fight tooth and nail, and often threats to their own life, to be able to get any details from inside the prison, have told us, these women journalists are held in terrible conditions,” says our founding director Kiran Nazish.
They are held either in overcrowded rooms, or solitary confinement - two extremes - with unsanitary conditions, and inadequate access to basic necessities such as clean water, proper nutrition, and healthcare.
“The use of gender-based violence, including sexual harassment and assault, further exacerbates their suffering and highlights the discriminatory practices ingrained within the Iranian penal system. These conditions constitute a clear violation of Iran's obligations under international human rights law and we demand immediate corrective action. We are therefore launching these policy recommendations under the urgency that the conditions women journalists are in, is threatening to their wellbeing, and their life.
Implementing these policy recommendations would represent a significant step towards addressing the severe human rights violations faced by Narges Mohammadi and other women journalists and activists in Iran. It would also signal Iran's commitment to respecting the fundamental rights of all its citizens, including those who dare to speak truth to power,” says Kiran Nazish.
Women Press Freedom at the Coalition For Women In Journalism makes policy recommendations for the Iranian government in light of the detrimental situation of Narges Mohammadi and 13 other women journalists unjustly imprisoned in Iran, with a focus on the unfair treatment, violence, and medical risks they face.
Recommendations
1. Immediate and Unconditional Release
CFWIJ's Women Press Freedom urges the Iranian government to immediately and unconditionally release Narges Mohammadi and all women journalists and activists imprisoned solely for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. These women are prisoners of conscience, detained in violation of their basic human rights. Women Press Freedom condemns their unfair arrest and requests Iranian authorities to uphold their responsibility to ensure safety and freedom for all its citizens, including women journalists and activities.
2. End Torture and Ill-Treatment
The Iranian government must cease all forms of torture and ill-treatment against detained women journalists and activists. As Women Press Freedom has reported, several women journalists are subjected to psychological and physical violence, including beatings, prolonged solitary confinement, and threats against their families. Such treatment is inhumane and violates international law. We demand Iran to immediately end all forms of violence and undignified treatment of women journalists and activists behind bars, and in society.
3. Provide Immediate and Adequate Medical Care
Iranian authorities must ensure that all imprisoned women journalists and activists receive immediate and adequate medical care. Many, including Narges Mohammadi, suffer from serious health conditions which have been further exacerbated by prolonged detention. Denial of medical care is a form of torture and puts these women at significant risk of long-term harm or death.
4. End the Use of Solitary Confinement
The Iranian government should immediately end the use of prolonged solitary confinement, a practice frequently used against women journalists and activists to break their spirit. Solitary confinement is a form of psychological torture and has devastating effects on mental health, leading to severe depression, anxiety, and even suicidal thoughts.
5. Conduct Independent Investigations into Allegations of Abuse
Women Press Freedom demands that Iran to conduct thorough, independent, and impartial investigations into all allegations of torture, ill-treatment, and abuse against women journalists and activists in prison. Those responsible for these violations must be held accountable through fair and transparent legal processes.
6. Repeal Laws that Criminalize Freedom of Expression
The Iranian government should repeal or significantly amend all laws that criminalize the peaceful exercise of freedom of expression, assembly, and association. These laws are often used to target and imprison women journalists and activists, stifling dissent and press freedom in the country.
7. End Gender-Based Violence and Discrimination in Detention
Iran must take immediate steps to eliminate gender-based violence and discrimination against women journalists and activists in detention. Female prisoners face gender-specific forms of violence, including sexual harassment and assault, and are often denied access to gender-sensitive healthcare. These discriminatory practices must be eradicated.
8. Allow International Monitoring and Access
Women Press Freedom urges Iran to allow international human rights organizations and UN special rapporteurs unrestricted access to its prisons to monitor the conditions and treatment of detainees, particularly women journalists and activists. Transparency is crucial to ensure that Iran complies with its international human rights obligations.
Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Narges Mohammadi and all women journalists and activists who face overwhelming oppression, and behind bars have been made unable to speak to or engage with the world. We demand that the Iranian authorities immediately release Narges Mohammadi and all other women imprisoned for exercising their rights to freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly. We also urge the United Nations and other international bodies to hold the Iranian government accountable for its gross violations of human rights and to ensure that those responsible for these abuses are brought to justice.
The safety of Narges Mohammadi and the women imprisoned alongside her is not just a matter of individual concern; it is a matter of global urgency. What women journalists, alongside activists and civilians behind bars in Iran are facing is persecution and their experience represents the broader struggle for women's rights, press freedom, and human dignity in Iran and beyond. We urge the international community to act now to send a clear message to Iran that the world will not stand by while women are silenced, imprisoned, and tortured for their courage to seek justice.
In this critical moment, Women Press Freedom reaffirms our commitment to amplifying the voices of those who are silenced and to holding governments accountable for their actions. We will continue to advocate tirelessly for the release of all women unjustly detained in Iran, and we call on our allies and supporters to join us in this vital effort.
Women Press Freedom is an initiative by The Coalition For Women In Journalism
The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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