Iran: Elnaz Mohammadi Resigns From Job Under Duress
Journalist previously received three-year suspended sentence for covering the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests
Location: Iran, Tehran
Date: December 14, 2023
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom strongly denounces the coerced resignation of Iranian journalist Elnaz Mohammadi from Hammihan newspaper. This reprehensible action adds to a concerning pattern of systematic assaults on press freedom in Iran. Elnaz Mohammadi, a committed journalist exposing human rights violations in the Islamic republic, has faced relentless persecution from Iranian authorities. Her sister, Elahe Mohammadi, is presently serving a 12-year prison term in Tehran's Evin prison. This underscores the alarming climate for journalists in Iran and the urgent need to address the deteriorating state of press freedom in the country.
On December 14, 2023, Elnaz Mohammadi revealed through an Instagram post that she was forced to resign from her position at Hammihan newspaper.
"There are many reasons behind my resignation, but it’s better that I don't say. I don’t want to reveal more than that," says Mohammadi.
This is not the first time the journalist is facing persecution. Earlier in the year, Mohammadi was arrested after she was summoned to the notorious Evin prison in Tehran, a facility known for suppressing dissenters. In September 2023, Mohammadi was sentenced to three-year suspended imprisonment for covering the "Woman, Life, Freedom" protests in Iran. These demonstrations, sparked by the death of Mahsa Amini, protested the country’s hijab laws. CFWIJ reported her arrest alongside that of journalist Negin Bagheri, both of whom were charged for "assembly and collusion” and also received a five-year travel ban and restrictions on their professional activities.
She is, however, not the only victim of this oppressive campaign against journalism in her family. Her sister and journalist Elahe Mohammadi, who reported on Mahsa Amini's tragic death, was arrested alongside fellow reporter Niloofar Hamedi. In October 2023, she was given a 12 year prison sentence.
More than 10,000 people, including numerous journalists, were unjustly detained following nationwide protests in Iran in 2022, leaving an imprint of gross human rights violations. Many journalists such as Mohammadi and her sister faced summonses, arrests and lengthy detentions while waiting for trial or serving unfair multi-year sentences. Such tactics are an insult to values of justice and the rule of law.
The Coalition For Women In Journalism and Women Press Freedom stands in solidarity with Mohammadi and denounces her forced resignation. This callous act is yet another example of the extremely oppressive environment for the press in Iran. We demand that the Iranian government immediately cease its intimidation and persecution of innocent journalists. We also urge the international community to condemn these dehumanizing actions and extend solidarity with Mohammadi, Elaheh and other journalists who face repression.
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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